Mr. Wharton was too completely a convert
to the doctrine of passive obedience and nonresistance, to withstand any
solicitation from an officer of Dunwoodie's influence in the rebel
armies; and the maid returned to the apartment, accompanied by her
father and aunt, at the expiration of the time that she had fixed.
Dunwoodie and the clergyman were already there. Frances, silently, and
without the affectation of reserve, placed in his hand the wedding ring
of her own mother, and after some little time spent in arranging Mr.
Wharton and herself, Miss Peyton suffered the ceremony to proceed.
The clock stood directly before the eyes of Frances, and she turned many
an anxious glance at the dial; but the solemn language of the priest
soon caught her attention, and her mind became intent upon the vows she
was uttering. The ceremony was quickly over, and as the clergyman
closed the words of benediction, the clock told the hour of nine. This
was the time that Harper had deemed so important, and Frances felt as if
a mighty load was at once removed from her heart.
Dunwoodie folded her in his arms, saluted the mild aunt again and again,
and shook Mr. Wharton and the divine repeatedly by the hands. In the
midst of the felicitation, a tap was heard at the door. It was opened,
and Mason appeared.
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