The lawyer and
housekeeper followed as witnesses; and the bridegroom, laying a fee
of ten guineas on the desk, took his bride by the hand and led her
within the door whence he had issued. It was instantly closed, and
at the same moment she was enfolded in a pair of rapturous arms,
and held to a breast whose throbs wakened response in her own, while
passionate kisses rained on her face, mingled with ecstatic whispers
and murmurs of "Mine! mine! my own!"
On a knock at the door she was hastily released, and Mr. Hargrave
said, "Here are the certificates, sir."--Mr. Belamour put one into
her hand, saying "Keep it always about you; never part with it.
And now, my child, after all the excitement you have gone through,
you shall be subjected to no more to-night. Fare you well, and
blessings attend your dreams."
Strange that while he was uttering this almost peremptory dismissal,
she should feel herself in a clinging grasp, most unwilling to let
her go! What did it all mean? Could she indeed be a wife, when
here she was alone treading the long dark stair, in looks, in habits,
in externals, still only the little governess of my Lady's children!
However, she had hardly reached her room, before there was a knock
at the door, and the giggling, blushing entrance of Molly with "Please,
ma'am, Madam Belamour, I wishes you joy with all my heart.
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