is such an
out-of-the-way event in ones life; the bride and bridegroom are so
suddenly plunged, by a sort of magic, head over heels into a new
unaccustomed element, that it is impossible to throw too much madness
and folly into this festival, in order to keep pace with the whirlpool
that is bearing a brace of human beings from the state where they were
two to the state where they become one, and that all things round
about may be fitting accompaniments for the dizzy dream on the wings
of which they are floating toward a new life. So let us rave away the
night, making all sail before the breeze; and a fig for such as look
twice on the dull sour faces that, would bid you behave rationally and
soberly."

"Don't be afraid," said the young officer; "we have brought a large
chest full of masks and mad carnival dresses from town with us, such
as would make even you stare."

"But see here," returned Roderick, "what a gem I have got from my
tailor, who was on the point of cutting up this peerless treasure into
strips. He had bought it of an old crone who must doubtless have worn
it on gala-days, when she went to Lucifer's drawing room on the
Blocksberg. Look at this scarlet bodice with its gold tassels and
fringe, at this cap besmeared with the last fee the hag got from
Beelzebub or his imps! it will give me a right worshipful air. To
match these choice morsels I have this green velvet petticoat, with
its saffron lining, and this mask which would melt even Medusa to a
grin. Thus accoutred I mean to lead the chorus of anti-graces, myself
their mother-queen, to the bedroom. Make the best speed you can, and
we will then go in solemn procession to fetch the bride."

The bugles were still playing: the company were strolling about the
garden, or sitting before the house. The sun had gone down behind
thick murky clouds, and the country was lying in the grey dusk, when a
parting gleam suddenly burst athwart the cloudy veil, and flooded
every spot around, but above all the building, its galleries and
pillars and wreaths of flowers, as it were with red blood.

At this moment the parents of the bride and the other visitors saw a
train of the most grotesque figures move toward the upper corridor.
Roderick led the way as the scarlet old woman, and was followed by
humpbacks, bulging paunches, cumbrous wigs, Scaramouches, Punches,
shrivelled Pantaloons, curtsying women embankt by enormous hoops, and
overcanopied with a yard of horsehair,