CHAPTER II. EMILY'S BRIDAL. "The youthful pair, the chapel and the priest, THE atmosphere was rife with bridal incense on the morning of a soft, balmy spring day. The sunshine stole in joyously at every window with the breeze, which swept over lovely flowers, snow-white gloves and draperies, and even over the magnificent bridal cake itself, as it stood in state upon a centre table in the drawing-room. Emily's friends were all in a state of glad confusion; she herself at last escaped from them all, taking refuge in the same little room in which we have before seen her. She wished to be alone, and yet alone she was not long, though it is questionable whether the companionship she had was not, after all, better than solitude. "Emily, darling-mine, in two short hours, mine for life!" Gilbert looked down at the drooping head so lightly resting against him, and gently pushing aside the bright bands of hair, saw that tears were glistening in the blue eyes. "You are not regretting, dearest-you do not repent your promise?" he whispered, almost reproachfully. She looked up then. The bright glowing glance repaid and answered him far more eloquently than the uttered words "Oh no, Gilbert." "Then wherefore these tears, darling?" "Oh, let them have their way, Gilbert; they will soon have passed;" and a few bright drops fell through the again drooping fringe that almost rested on her glowing cheek. They are not tears of regret, dear Gilbert," she presently added, "rest assured of that." 66 "I am satisfied, love: satisfied, too, that we shall be very, very happy. You might have had a brighter lot, darling, but you would not have found one who would love you more, my Emily. God has been very gracious to us," he resumed, after a slight pause, "in giving us, amongst all His other blessings, this mutual love. Shall we not thank Him for the gift? Shall we not seek His blessing on the compact we are this day to seal?" He gently drew away her hands as he spoke, and retaining one in his, they kneeled together at one footstool, while in fervent though hushed tones Gilbert offered up a prayer for the blessing of Him whose blessing maketh rich, and is better than all the treasures in the world. A little paler, perhaps, but with more courage in her heart, more sight in her eyes, Emily a short time after yielded herself up to the bevy of fair young bridemaids who were waiting to prepare her for the auspicious occasion. He loves to hear their to their petitions; He And in an untried path Yes, we had need enter with prayer each foottrack of our life journey. Has not our Heavenly Father desired it of us, and while He promises blessings innumerable to His people, does He not likewise say, "Yet for this will I be inquired of?" He would not have His children forget they have to ask that they may receive. voices; He loves to listen delights in granting them. shall we not seek guidance? Ah, yes-sweet it is to have a Father to go to-One to whom we can deliver all our fears and cares-One upon whom all our burdens may be cast-One who is gracious and merciful, and full of compassion. The worldling knows nothing of this. Poor child of this world, in whom hast thou to trust? to whom canst thou go for guidance? Where canst thou rest? On the feeble bending reed of human nature must thy footsteps be supported-poor support indeed for an untried pathway! Happy Emily,-happy Gilbert. They had firmer support than this. They looked in their journey together for the cloud pillar-the pillar of flame; they trusted in One "mighty to save." They leaned on no broken reed for support. Had they not reason to expect a blessing on a union thus sanctified? Surely they had. Emily felt so much stronger, so much braver, that her friends wondered at her-wondered at her quiet, calm manner, notwithstanding her cheek was SO pale-pale almost as the jasmine that shone in her glossy hair, and wreathed round the tiny bonnet of gossamer lace. But they knew not the fount from which the calmness rose. Some of those kindly officiating friends would have been puzzled had they been told that repose in God-rest in His promiseswas the source of the outward rest on lip and brow, and in those clear blue eyes. There came no tears again; though the eyes were downcast, and the graceful head drooping, those who looked most earnestly through the bridal veil could detect no sign of weeping. He who perchance most anxiously gazed saw that that was passed, and that the eyes were still and calm beneath their fringe, and, like the waters of a clear lake, had no shadow upon them to dim their beauty. There was no shadow upon her spirit, either, when Emily went forth from her brother's house. She was still and quiet, and perhaps a little tremulous at the thought of those "tremendous words" she had yet to utter,-words which would turn the whole current of her life, and cement the sacred tie between herself and one who was very dear to her. "We shall be very happy, dearest," were words that vibrated like pleasant music through her heart. And, after all, with those soft echoes in her ear, the vows she had to utter were not so very terrible. How sweet, how lovely looked our Emily as she lightly crossed the chapel leaning on her brother's arm, with her attendant bridemaids round her, and stood at last before the communion rail by the side of him who was in future to be her husband. Just the faintest rosebud of a blush stole into her cheeks' paleness-just a little trembling of the small hand, as it lay in his clasp and received the golden seal of the vows they mutually uttered. Low and soft, yet clear and distinct, were the tones that uttered the response, -a sweet contrast to the bold and manly voice at her side. A few words-those mystic words-uniting in one two lives, these were soon past. Our Emily was a bride a wife! And as she again took her way to the carriage at the door, it was the arm of her husband that supported her. : How true it is, that " they who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength." |