n
the dark church, with the clergyman in a plain black gown muttering
unintelligible words, and the local verger and the church cleaner acting
as the witnesses to her marriage.

Her marriage!

How differently had she conceived that great, that wonderful day, the
turning point of a maiden's life. Music, flowers, beautiful gowns and
sweet scents filling the air! the sunlight peeping gold, red, purple or
blue through the glass windows of some exquisite cathedral! The
bridegroom arrayed in white, full of joy and pride, she the bride with a
veil of filmy lace falling over her face to hide the happy blushes!

It was a beautiful dream, and the reality was so very, very different.

A dark little country church, with the plaster peeling off the walls!
the drone of a bewhiskered, bald-headed parson being the sole music
which greeted her ears. The rain beating against the broken
window-panes, through which icy cold draughts of damp air reached her
shoulders and caused her to shiver beneath her kerchief. She wore her
pretty dove-colored gown, but it was not new nor had she a veil over her
face, only a straw hat such as countrywomen wore, for though she was an
heiress and passing rich, her guardian did but ill provide her with
smart clothing.

And the bridegroom?

He had been waiting for her inside the church, and seemed impatient
when she arrived. No one had helped her to alight from the rickety
chaise, and she had to run in the pouring rain, through the miserable
and deserted churchyard.

His face seemed to scowl as she finally stood up beside him, in front of
that black-gowned man, who was to tie between them the sacred and
irrevocable knot of matrimony. His hand had perceptibly trembled when he
slipped the ring on her finger, whilst she felt that her own was
irresponsive and icy cold.

She tried to speak the fateful "I will!" buoyantly and firmly, but
somehow--owing to the cold, mayhap--the two little words almost died
down in her throat.

Aye! it had all been very gloomy, and inexpressibly sad. The
ceremony--the dear, sweet, sacred ceremony which was to give her wholly
to him, him unreservedly to her--was mumbled and hurried through in less
than ten minutes.

Her bridegroom said not a word. Together they went into the tiny vestry
and she was told to sign her name in a big book, which the bald-headed
parson held open before her.

The prince also signed his name, and then kissed her on the forehead.

The clergyma