e, completed the semicircle on
the ladies' side and the six groomsmen on the gentlemen's.

The opening exhortation was made and the opening prayers were offered
for both pairs together.

Then the momentous questions were put and answered, and the marriage
vows were made, by each pair separately.

Each bride was given away in turn by Alden Lytton. Finally the
concluding prayer was offered and the benediction pronounced upon both.

It was over.

Congratulations, tears, smiles and kisses followed. A half an hour in
pleasant chatter, in which every one talked and no one listened,
followed, and then the doors of the dining-room were thrown open and the
company was invited in to the breakfast.

Three long tables stood parallel to each other, the whole length of the
room, leaving only space to pass around them.

Each table was decorated with the most fragrant and beautiful flowers,
adorned with the most elegant plate, china and glass, and loaded with
every delicacy appropriate to the occasion.

But the middle table was distinguished by the "wedding-cake" _par
excellence_--an elegant and beautiful piece of art, formed like a
Grecian temple of Hymen, erected upon a rock, adorned with beautiful
forms, birds, butterflies, flowers, and so forth.

This middle table was also honored with the presence of the brides and
bridegrooms, with their attendants and immediate friends, and with that
of the officiating bishop.

After the first course Mr. Lytton, who occupied a seat at the foot of
this table, arose in his place and made the usual little speech, and
proposed the health of both "happy pairs."

This was drunk with enthusiasm.

Then the health of the bride-maids was proposed and honored.

Mr. Brent proposed their accomplished host and hostess. And this toast
was honored with an enthusiasm equal to that which had attended that of
the brides and bridegrooms.

An hour, every moment of which was filled up with enjoyment, was spent
at the table, and then the beautiful hostess, Mrs. Alden Lytton, gave
the signal, and the ladies all arose and withdrew.

The two brides, accompanied by Emma, went upstairs to their rooms to
change their bridal dresses for traveling-suits, for the two carriages
were already waiting at the gates to convey them to Wendover, whence
they were to take the train for Richmond, _en route_ for the North.

They were soon dressed in their pretty suits of soft, dove-colored silk,
with hats and gloves of