ay. Now, am I clearly understood?"

"Very clearly, sir," replied Sylvan, speaking for himself and sister.

"Then, good night; I am going to bed," said the Iron King, and without
waiting for a response, he strode out of the room.

"Who ever heard of a man dictating to a woman what she shall wear?"
exclaimed Cora.

Sylvan laughed.

"Why, the King of the Cumberland mines would dictate when you should
rise from your seat and walk across the room; when you should sit down
again; when you should look out of the window, and every movement of
your life, if it were not too much trouble. Good night, Cora."

The brother and sister shook hands and parted for the night, each going
to his or her respective apartment. Early the next morning the little
party met at breakfast. The Iron King looked sullen and defiant, as if
he were challenging the whole world to find any objection to his
remarkable marriage at their peril. Mrs. Stillwater, in a pretty morning
robe of pale blue sarcenet, made very plainly, looked shy, humble, and
deprecating, as if begging from all present a charitable construction of
her motives and actions. Cora Rothsay looked calm and cold in her usual
widow's dress and cap.

Sylvan seemed the only cheerful member of the party, and tried to make
conversation out of such trifles as the bill of fare furnished. All were
relieved when the party separated and went to their rooms to dress for
church. At eleven o'clock they reassembled in the parlor. Mr. Rockharrt
wore a new morning suit. He might have been going down to Wall Street
instead of to his own wedding. Rose Stillwater wore a navy blue,
lusterless silk traveling dress, with hat, veil and gloves to match, all
very plain, but extremely becoming to her fresh complexion and ruddy
hair. Cora wore her widow's dress of lusterless black silk with mantle,
bonnet, veil and gloves to match. Sylvan, like his grandfather, wore a
plain morning suit.

"Well, are you all ready?" demanded old Aaron, looking critically upon
the party.

"All ready, sir," chirped Sylvan for the others.

"Come, then."

And the aged bridegroom drew the arm of his bride-elect within his own
and led the way down stairs and out to the handsome carriage that stood
waiting.

He handed her in, put her on the back seat and placed himself beside
her.

Sylvan helped his sister into the carriage and followed her. They seated
themselves on the front seat opposite the bridal pair.

And the carriag