been
talking before to the air: "Is it for this I went blackberrying with you
in my tender infancy! Is it for this that in the heyday of youth I
walked with you to the school-house down the road! Was it for this that
in the prime of manhood I breathed soft music in your ear at the
witching time of night!"

As he arrived at this last question, Mopsey, in her new gown of gorgeous
pattern, and, having laid aside her customary broad-bordered cap, with a
high crowned turban of red, and yellow cotton handkerchief on her head,
appeared at the parlor door. Mr. Tiffany paused: he saw the Moorish
princess before him; rallying, however, he was proceeding to describe
himself as a friendly troubadour, whose affection had been responded to,
when the Captain placing his mouth to his ear, as in confidence, uttered
in a portentous whisper, "THE VAT!"

Mr. Tiffany immediately lost all joint and strength, subsided into a
chair at a distance, and from that moment looked upon the scene like one
in a trance.

"After all," said Mr. Oliver, glancing at him, "I don't see just now
that, in any point of view, this young gentleman _is_ destined to carry
the principles of free government--anywhere."

The family being now all gathered, Mr. Barbary proceeded, employing a
simple and impressive form in use in that family from its earliest
history:

"You, the Bridegroom and the Bride, who now present yourselves
candidates of the covenant of God and of your marriage before him, in
token of your consenting affections and united hearts, please to give
your hands to one another.

"Mr. Bridegroom, the person whom you now take by the hand, you receive
to be your married wife: you promise to love her, to honor her, to
support her, and in all things to treat her as you are now, or shall
hereafter be convinced is by the laws of Christ made your duty,--a
tender husband, with unspotted fidelity till death shall separate you.

"Mrs. Bride, the person whom you now hold by the hand you accept to be
your married husband; you promise to love him, to honor him, to submit
to him, and in all things to treat him as you are now or shall hereafter
be convinced, is by the laws of Christ made your duty,--an affectionate
wife, with inviolable loyalty till death shall separate you.

"This solemn covenant you make, and in this sacred oath bind your souls
in the presence of the Great God, and before these witnesses.

"I then declare you to be husband and wife regularly