He gave her this short homily, as he stood before her in Mary's little
parlor, just ere the wedding service began. Maggie listened to him with a
touching gratitude and humility. In her eyes David was something more than
a brother. He had laid his hand upon the altar and was set apart for its
ministering. And he looked, every inch of him, the priest of his people.
For David had always considered the proper habit of his order a subject
worthy of his careful attention; and on this auspicious occasion he was
dressed with the utmost care. Even among the varied and splendid uniforms
of the military officers present, David Promoter's rich and sombre
vestment was very noticeable. No one could deny that he was a singularly
handsome and distinguished-looking man. It was upon his arm Mary Campbell
entered, and her delicate beauty, enhanced by a white robe of some
diaphanous material, made a telling contrast to the young minister's tall
form, and black raiment.
Maggie, on her father-in-law's arm, was but a few steps in advance of
them. They saw Allan turn and watch her coming to him, and the light on
his face transfigured it. This was the woman he had been born to meet; the
woman that was the completion of his own nature. Once more he caught at a
venture the beautiful eyes through which had come their first recognition;
and he saw that they met his full of glad confidence and happy expectation.
Dr. Balmuto's charge was a very solemn and a very loving one. The tears
were on his cheeks as Maggie stood before him. He spoke to her as gently
as if she were his own daughter. He bade her look forward to the joyful
duties of her lot. He laid her hand in Allan's hand with a blessing. Then
from every lip arose the triumphant strains of the one hundred and
twenty-eighth psalm--the happy, hopeful wedding psalm--and with the
gracious benediction, Allan and Maggie turned with smiling faces toward
their future.
The first months of their married life were to be spent in Continental
travel. Maggie was to see all the famous places, which, as yet, were only
names to her, and Allan was to see them again through her eyes. They went
away in the gay, splendid fashion of the time, in an open landau drawn by
four horses, with outriders. The guests crowded the hall and the open
door; the servants gathered below them; the tenants lined the road to the
small station which they had selected for their starting point. And thus
in a very triumph of joy they started upon their long life journey.