his cap higher, and having satisfied himself that nothing
was wanting to adorn the person of the bridegroom, he thought his tall,
manly figure, his fine head, and animated eye, were worthy the love of
his pretty cousin. "I declare," said he, "you look as if you were
created especially for a bridegroom. I would like Marie to see you now;
poor girl, she would certainly be troubled with giddiness for a week!
But come, come; I feel proud in being your companion upon this
occasion, though I shall be fourteen days later in Ulm than I ought to
be."

Albert blushed,--his heart beat quicker,--when he left the room. Joy,
expectation, the fulfilment of year-long wishes assailed his feelings,
as he followed his friend Dieterich through the galleries to the
apartment where the assembled company awaited his arrival. The doors
opened,--and Bertha stood in all the brilliancy of her beauty,
surrounded by many women and maidens, whom the Duke had invited to form
the nuptial procession.

When she perceived her lover enter the room, and met his glance, modest
confusion spread a deep blush over her features, as she returned his
salutation. The intoxicating joy of this moment would have led Albert
to impress a morning salute of love upon her lips, but he was
restrained by the strict manners of the times upon such occasions to
observe a serious distant demeanour. A bride, according to etiquette,
was not permitted to touch the hand of the bridegroom before the priest
had joined them together, nor were they allowed to approach each other
within six paces. To look even exclusively at her future husband before
the ceremony was performed was deemed indecorous. She observed,
therefore, the precise rule of remaining with cast-down looks, modest
and demure, with her hands crossed before her. Such were the customs of
the olden times of the country.

To any other person in a similar situation, the position in which she
stood might have imparted to the beholder a stiff and awkward
appearance; but as nature endows her choicest daughters under all
circumstances, whether in grief or joy, with a charm of interest which
attracts even the most superficial observer, so did Bertha, on the
present occasion, give to the restrained attitude of a bride in those
days, an ease and grace which elicited the admiration of the
surrounding spectators. The soft blush which rested on her features,
the smile playing about her delicate-formed mouth, the brilliancy of
her