Hitherto his air had been abstracted, and his manner uneasy;
but everything, excepting the certainty of his bliss, seemed to vanish
at the blaze of loveliness that now burst on his sight. All arose from
their seats, and the reverend gentleman had already opened the sacred
volume, when the absence of Frances was noticed! Miss Peyton withdrew in
search of her youngest niece, whom she found in her own apartment,
and in tears.
"Come, my love, the ceremony waits but for us," said the aunt,
affectionately entwining her arm in that of her niece. "Endeavor to
compose yourself, that proper honor may be done to the choice of
your sister."
"Is he--can he be, worthy of her?"
"Can he be otherwise?" returned Miss Peyton. "Is he not a gentleman?--a
gallant soldier, though an unfortunate one? and certainly, my love, one
who appears every way qualified to make any woman happy."
Frances had given vent to her feelings, and, with an effort, she
collected sufficient resolution to venture to join the party below. But
to relieve the embarrassment of this delay, the clergyman had put sundry
questions to the bridegroom; one of which was by no means answered to
his satisfaction. Wellmere was compelled to acknowledge that he was
unprovided with a ring; and to perform the marriage ceremony without
one, the divine pronounced to be canonically impossible.
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