ll
down by this time," said the judge. And in they went.

He was right in his conjecture; the wedding guests were all assembled
there.

And soon after his entrance the sliding doors between the drawing room
and the dining room were pushed back, and Devizac, who was the presiding
genius of the wedding feast, appeared and announced that breakfast was
served.

The company filed in--the bride and bridegroom walking together, and
followed by the bridesmaids and the gentlemen of the party.

Ishmael gave his arm to Beatrice. Mr. Brudenell conducted Mrs.
Middleton, and the judge led one of the lady guests.

The scene they entered upon was one of splendor, beauty, and luxury,
never surpassed even by the great Vourienne and Devizac themselves!
Painting, gilding, and flowers had not been spared. The walls were
covered with frescoes of Venus, Psyche, Cupid, the Graces, and the
Muses, seen among the rosy bowers and shady groves of Arcadia. The
ceiling was covered with celestial scenery, in the midst of which was
seen the cloudy court of Jupiter and Juno and their attendant gods and
goddesses; the pillars were covered with gilding and twined with
flowers, and long wreaths of flowers connected one pillar with another
and festooned the doorways and windows and the corners of the room.

The breakfast table was a marvel of art--blazing with gold plate,
blooming with beautiful and fragrant exotics, and intoxicating with the
aroma of the richest and rarest viands.

At the upper end of the room a temporary raised and gilded balcony
wreathed with roses was occupied by Dureezie's celebrated band, who, as
the company came in, struck up an inspiring bridal march composed
expressly for this occasion.

The wedding party took their seats at the table and the feasting began.
The viands were carved and served and praised. The bride's cake was cut
and the slices distributed. The ring fell to one of the bridesmaids and
provoked the usual badinage. The wine circulated freely.

Mr. Middleton arose and in a neat little speech proposed the fair
bride's health, which proposal was hailed with enthusiasm.

Judge Merlin, in another little speech, returned thanks to the company,
and begged leave to propose the bridegroom's health, which was duly
honored.

Then it was Lord Vincent's turn to rise and express his gratitude and
propose Judge Merlin's health.

This necessitated a second rising of the judge, who after making due
acknowledgments of th