firmly
believe, it is for the welfare of you both, to become man and wife. My
Lord, take this woman's marriage vows--you can ask no fairer promises of
her reform--she can give you none half so sacred, half so binding; and I
see by her looks that she will mean to keep them. And my dear,"
continued he, addressing himself to her, "act but under the dominion of
those vows, to a husband of sense and virtue, like him, and you will be
all that I, himself, or even Heaven can desire. Now, then, Lord Elmwood,
this moment give her up for ever, or this moment constrain her by such
ties from offending you, as she shall not _dare_ to violate."

Lord Elmwood struck his forehead in doubt and agitation; but, still
holding her hand, he cried, "I cannot part from her." Then feeling this
reply as equivocal, he fell upon his knees, and cried, "Will you pardon
my hesitation? and will you, in marriage, show me that tender love you
have not shown me yet? Will you, in possessing all my affections, bear
with all my infirmities?"

She raised him from her feet, and by the expression of her countenance,
by the tears that bathed his hands, gave him confidence.

He turned to Sandford--then placing her by his own side, as the form of
matrimony requires, gave this for a sign to Sandford that he should
begin the ceremony. On which, he opened his book, and--married them.

With voice and manners so serious, so solemn and so fervent, he
performed these rites, that every idea of jest, or even of lightness,
was absent from the mind of all who were present.

Miss Milner, covered with shame, sunk on the bosom of Miss Woodley.

When the ring was wanting, Lord Elmwood supplied it with one from his
own hand, but throughout all the rest of the ceremony, appeared lost in
zealous devotion to Heaven. Yet, no sooner was it finished, than his
thoughts descended to this world. He embraced his bride with all the
transport of the fondest, happiest bridegroom, and in raptures called
her by the endearing name of "wife."

"But still, my Lord," cried Sandford, "you are only married by your own
church and conscience, not by your wife's, or by the law of the land;
and let me advise you not to defer that marriage long, lest in the time
you disagree, and she should refuse to become your legal spouse."

"I think there is danger," returned Lord Elmwood, "and therefore our
second marriage must take place to-morrow."

To this the ladies objected, and Sandford was to fix thei