ared for him did Praboe
care for her, and forthwith he became her lover, and cared nothing any
longer for the fasting and the cave.

Much of the Javan festivity is connected with the marriage ceremony,
which is always an occasion of feasting, greater or less, in proportion
to the wealth of the bride and bridegroom. There is a procession and
music, but the actual ceremony is very simple, although the accessory
festivities appear to be capable of almost indefinite extension.
Barrington D'Almeida, who visited the island in 1861, thus describes the
scene[8] which he witnessed in a house filled with guests:--

"On either side of the front room, on white Samarang mats, were
seated the elders of the village, priests, various friends,
relations, and acquaintances, all squatted cross-legged. Cups of
tea, _a la Chinoise_--that is, without milk or sugar--were
placed on handsome trays before each guest, as well as betel
nuts, cakes, a quantity of _rokos_, and other native
delicacies.... Followed by several of the guests, we entered
another room, which was very gaudily decorated, and furnished
with a low bed, the curtains of which were of white calico,
ornamented with lace, gold, silver, beads, and coloured bits of
silk. At the foot of this bed was a platform, raised about half
a foot from the ground, on which was spread a spotless white
mat, with several bronze trays containing cakes, etc. Whilst we
were inspecting this apartment we were startled by the din of
voices, followed by the sound of music, which, from its peculiar
character, was too near to be agreeable. 'The bride is come,'
said Drahman. The crowd was so great that it was some minutes
before we could catch a glimpse of her. Our curiosity was at
length gratified, while they were pouring water upon her small
naked feet. After this ceremony an elderly man, who, I was
informed, was one of her relatives, carried her in his arms to
the inner room, and placed her on the platform, where she sat
down on the left side of the bridegroom, who had followed her
in. She had a rather pleasing expression, but was much
disfigured by a yellow dye, with which her face, neck,
shoulders, and arms were covered, and which effectually
concealed her blushes.

"Her dress was very simple, consisting of a long sarong of fine
_batek_, passing under both arms and across the chest, so