that horrible object,” said Mrs. Mowbray; “it fascinates the vision of my child.”
“Lend me your hand, Richard Checkley,” said Peter, sternly regarding the priest.
“No, no,” replied the priest, shuddering; “I will not, cannot touch it. Do you alone remove it.”
Peter approached Luke. The latter now offered no further opposition, and the body was taken away. The eyes of Eleanor followed it into the dark recesses of the vault; and when she could no longer distinguish the white flutter of the cereclothes, her laboring bosom seemed torn asunder with the profound sigh that burst from it, and her head declined upon her shoulder.
“Let me see that ring,” said the priest, addressing Luke, who still held the wedding-ring between his fingers.
“I am not naturally superstitious,” said Mrs. Mowbray; “whether my mind be affected with the horrors of this place, I know not; but I have a dread of that ring. She shall not use it.”
“Where no other can be found,” said the priest, with a significant and peculiar look at Mrs. Mowbray, “I see no reason why this should be rejected. I should not have suspected you, madam, of such weakness. Grant there were evil spell, or charm, attached to it, which, trust me, there is not— as how should there be, to a harmless piece of gold? — my benediction, and aspersion with holy lymph, will have sufficient power to exorcise and expel it. To remove your fears it shall be done at once.”
A cup containing water was brought, together with a plate of salt — which condiment the devil is said to abhor, and which is held to be a symbol of immortality and of eternity; in that, being itself incorruptible, it preserves all else from corruption — and, with the customary Romish formula of prayer and exorcism, the priest thrice mingled the crystal particles with the pure fluid; after which, taking the ring in his hand with much solemnity, he sprinkled it with a few drops of the water which he had blessed; made the sign of the cross upon the golden circlet; uttered another and more potent exorcism to eradicate and expel every device of Satan, and delivered it back to Luke.
“She may wear it now in safety,” said the sexton, with strong contempt. “Were the snake himself coiled round that consecrated bauble, the prayers of the devout Father Checkley would unclasp his lithest folds. But wherefore do we tarry now? Naught lies between us and the altar. The path is clear. The bridegroom grows impatient.”
“And the bride?” asked Barbara.
“Is ready,” replied the priest. “Madam, delay not longer. Daughter, your hand.”
Eleanor gave her hand. It was clammy and cold. Supported by her mother, she moved slowly towards the altar, which was but a few steps from where they stood. She offered no resistance, but did not raise her head. Luke was by her side. Then for the first time did the enormity of the cruel, dishonorable act he was about to commit, strike him with its full force. He saw it in its darkest colors. It was one of those terrible moments when the headlong wheel of passion stands suddenly still.
“There is yet time,” groaned he. “Oh! let me not damn myself perpetually! Let me save her; save Sybil; save myself.”
They were at the altar — that wild wedding train. High over head the torch was raised. The red light flashed on bridegroom and on bride, giving to the pale features of each an almost livid look; it fell upon the gaunt aspect of the sexton, and lit up the smile of triumphant malice that played upon his face; it fell upon the fantastical habiliments of Barbara, and upon the haughty but perturbed physiognomy of Mrs. Mowbray; it fell upon the salient points of the Gothic arches; upon one molded pillar; upon the marble image of the virgin Thecla; and on the scarcely less marble countenance of Sybil who stood behind the altar, silent, statue-like, immovable. The effect of light and shade on other parts of the scene, upon the wild drapery, and harsh lineaments of many of the group, was also eminently striking.
The Bridal
Just as the priest was about to commence the marriage service, a yelling chorus, which the gipsies were accustomed to sing at the celebration of the nuptials of one of their own tribe, burst forth. Nothing could be more horribly discordant than their song.
WEDDING CHORUS OF GIPSIES
Scrape the catgut! pass the liquor!
Let your quick feet move the quicker.
Ta-ra-la!
Dance and sing in jolly chorus,
Bride and bridegroom are before us,
And the patrico stands o’er us.
Ta-ra-la!
To unite their hands he’s ready;
For a moment, pals, be steady;
Cease your quaffing,
Dancing, laughing;
Leave off riot,
And be quiet,
While ’tis doing.
’Tis begun,
All is over!
Two are ONE!
The patrico has link’d ’em;
Daddy Hymen’s torch has blink’d ’em.
Amen!
To ’t again!
Now for quaffing,
Now for laughing,
Stocking-throwing,
Liquor flowing;
For our bridals are no bridles, and our altars never alter;
From the flagon never flinch we, in the jig we never falter.
No! that’s not our way, for we Are staunch lads of Romany. For our wedding, then, hurrah! Hurrah! hurrah! hurrah!
This uncouth chorus ended, the marriage proceeded. Sybil had disappeared. Had she fled? No! she was by the bride. Eleanor mechanically took her place. A faint voice syllabled the responses. You could scarcely have seen Miss Mowbray’s lips move. But the answers were given, and the priest was satisfied.
He took the ring, and sprinkled it once again with the holy water, in the form of the cross. He pronounced the prayer: “Benedic, Domine, annulum hunc, quem nos in tuo nomine benedicimus, ut quæ eum gestaverit, fidelitatem integram suo sponso tenens, in pace et voluntate tua permaneat atque in mutua charitate semper vivat.”
He was about to return the ring to Luke, when the torch, held by the knight of Malta, was dashed to the ground by some unseen hand, and instantly extinguished. The wild pageant vanished as suddenly as the figures cast by a magic-lantern upon a wall disappear when the glass is removed. A wild hubbub succeeded. Hoarsely above the clamor arose the voice of Barbara.
“To the door, quickly! — to the door! Let no one pass, I will find out the author of this mishap anon.
