y her uncle, and followed by Miss Graves and Marjorie, while
Wilkinson, in elegant morning dress, preceded Mr. Douglas and Mr. Bangs.
The colonel, with much emotion, gave his niece away, and Mr. Perrowne
made them one. Then came Mrs. Du Plessis, arm in arm with her former
husband's faithful servant, Mr. Terry, and behind her followed Miss
Halbert, training for her own approaching celebration. Mr. Errol was the
colonel's right hand man. The second couple was united, and, amid the
strains of the wedding march on the parlour organ, there went on
salutes, congratulations, and hysterical little weepings, until the
serious business of affixing signatures in the vestry called the
contracting and witnessing parties to order. Then they retired to
Bridesdale, where there was a wedding breakfast, at which Mr. Perrowne,
elated with liberal fees, was the soul of jocularity, and Mr. Douglas
let the cat out of the bag as to his relations with Miss Graves. Mr.
Bangs sang "He's a jolly good fellow" to every toast indiscriminately.
The Squire was felicitous in his presidential remarks; but Mr. Terry
broke down at the thought of parting with Madame and with Miss Ceshile
that was. Mr. Errol made a good common-sense speech, and alluded
roguishly to the colonel's setting a good example that even ministers
were not too good to follow. Marjorie, in the dignity of a bridesmaid,
slipped away to bring Cousin Marjorie down, and was accompanied by the
new brides, who hugged Miss Carmichael, and implanted motherly and
sisterly kisses on the cheek of the only man who was left out of the
festivities. Lastly, Wilkinson appeared on the scene with the colonel,
and took a most affectionate leave of his friend. "You will not forget
me, Corry?" said the late dominie. "Never, Wilks, never, nor you me I
hope. I'll tell you, let us each carry away our knapsacks, and, when we
look at them, think of each other, and the happy chance that brought us
here together." The Squire's voice rung out: "Come, come, good people,
pack up quick, for the carriage is at the door." The valises were got
down by Timotheus, who received large tips. The two ladies and Wilkinson
got in with the Squire, and the new Mrs. Maguffin occupied the hind
seat, while the colonel and his servant rode away amid much throwing of
old shoes and rice, and waving of handkerchiefs, to make steamboat
connections at Collingwood. The departure of so large a company left
quite a blank at Bridesdale.

The