p play. She was perfectly delicious with her blooming
youth and freshness and dimples--her violet eyes shining like stars, and
her red full lips pouting like appetizing ripe cherries. Michael
trembled a little as he felt her small hand upon his arm.

They walked to the altar rails and the ceremony began.

But, with the first words of the old clergyman's voice, a new and
unknown excitement came over Sabine. The night and the gorgeous chapel
and the candles and the flowers all affected her deeply, just as the
grand feast days used to do at the convent. A sudden realization of the
mystery of things overcame her and frightened her, so that her voice was
hardly audible as she repeated the clergyman's words.

What were these vows she was making before God? She dared not
think--the whole thing was a maze, a dream. It was too late to run
away--but it was terrible--she wanted to scream.

At last she felt her bridegroom place the ring upon her finger, now ice
cold.

And then she was conscious that she was listening to these words:

"Those whom God hath joined together let no man put asunder."

After that she must have reeled a little, for she felt a strong arm
encircle her waist for a moment.

Then she knew she was kneeling and that words of no meaning whatever
were being buzzed over her head.

And lastly she was vividly awakened to burning consciousness by the
first man's kiss which had ever touched her innocent lips.

So she was married--and this was her husband, this splendid, beautiful
young man there beside her in his evening clothes--and it was over--and
she was going away and would never see him again--and what had she
done?--and would God be very angry?--since it was all really in a
church!

Her hand trembled as she wrote her name, Sabine Delburg, for the last
time, and she was shivering all over as she walked back with her
newly-made husband to his sitting-room through the gloomy corridor.
There it was all brilliant light again, the light of soft silk-shaded
lamps--and the center table was cleared and supper for two and opened
champagne awaited them. They were both very pale, and Sabine sat down in
a chair.

"Mr. Fergusson will bring a copy of the certificate in a minute,"
Michael said to her, "and then we can have some supper--but now, come,
we must drink each other's healths."

He poured out the wine into two glasses and handed her one. She had
never tasted champagne before--but sipped it as she was bid