man she ever
loved, and yet never thought to win.

Four noble and comely couple pacing through the grassy street and taking
their places under the canopy where Elder Brewster, a magistrate, if not
an ordained minister, stood beside a little table whereon was laid the
colony's first Record Book brought by the Anne, and now to be used for
the first time, for hitherto the "scanty annals of the poor" settlement
had been kept in Governor Bradford's note-book, now alas lost to
posterity.

The simple ceremony was soon over, and as the Separatists denied
themselves the privilege of a religious service lest some taint of
Papistry might lurk therein, Elder Brewster closed his magisterial
office with a prayer in which Isaac and Rebecca were not forgotten, and
about which hung a curious flavor of the Church of England service so
familiar to the elder's youth.

"Priscilla! Mine at last! My very own," whispered John Alden in his
bride's ear as the group broke up and all the world pressed in to offer
congratulations.

"There, there, John, if thou hast but just discovered that notable fact
I'll leave thee to digest it while I go to see that the dinner is served
as it should be."

CHAPTER XXXVII.

"AND TO BE WROTH WITH ONE WE LOVE."

"Barbara, hath Master Allerton asked thee to be his wife?" inquired
Myles, as he and his cousin sat together upon the bench in front of his
own house some few evenings after the weddings.

"He spoke to the governor, and he to me," replied Barbara, a little
spark of mirth glinting in her blue eyes.

"And thou saidst?"--

"I said that I hardly knew Master Allerton by sight as yet, and was in
no haste to wed."

"What sort of yea-nay answer was that, thou silly wench? Why didst not
say No, round and full?"

"Because No, wrapped in gentle words, served my turn as well, cousin."

"Come now, I do remember that tone of old, soft as snow and unbendable
as ice. So 't is the same Barbara I quarreled with so oft, is it? Ever
quite sure that her own way is the best, and ever watchful lest any
should lay a finger on her free will."

"Methinks, Myles, you give your kinswoman a somewhat unlovely temper of
her own. How is it about Captain Standish in these days? Hath he grown
meek and mild, and afraid to carry himself after his own mind?"

"Why so tart, Barbara? Because I chid thee for trifling with Allerton?"

"Nay Myles, I made not yon weary voyage for the sake of quarreling with
thee. Well