nged since I had dropped on my knees. The points of light about
time church, which had been eclipsed, had come again, and were growing in
power to a partial revealing of the dim expanse. Before me was the table
with the open book, on which were laid the gold and silver rings and the
two crowns of flowers. There were also two tall candles, with tiniest
flames of blue--the only living light to be seen.

Out of the darkness stepped the same tall figure in the gorgeous robes
and the triple hat. He led by the hand my Lady, still clad in her
Shroud; but over it, descending from the crown of her head, was a veil of
very old and magnificent lace of astonishing fineness. Even in that dim
light I could note the exquisite beauty of the fabric. The veil was
fastened with a bunch of tiny sprays of orange-blossom mingled with
cypress and laurel--a strange combination. In her hand she carried a
great bouquet of the same. Its sweet intoxicating odour floated up to my
nostrils. It and the sentiment which its very presence evoked made me
quiver.

Yielding to the guiding of the hand which held hers, she stood at my left
side before the table. Her guide then took his place behind her. At
either end of the table, to right and left of us, stood a long-bearded
priest in splendid robes, and wearing the hat with depending veil of
black. One of them, who seemed to be the more important of the two, and
took the initiative, signed to us to put our right hands on the open
book. My Lady, of course, understood the ritual, and knew the words
which the priest was speaking, and of her own accord put out her hand.
My guide at the same moment directed my hand to the same end. It
thrilled me to touch my Lady's hand, even under such mysterious
conditions.

After the priest had signed us each thrice on the forehead with the sign
of the Cross, he gave to each of us a tiny lighted taper brought to him
for the purpose. The lights were welcome, not so much for the solace of
the added light, great as that was, but because it allowed us to see a
little more of each other's faces. It was rapture to me to see the face
of my Bride; and from the expression of her face I was assured that she
felt as I did. It gave me an inexpressible pleasure when, as her eyes
rested on me, there grew a faint blush over the grey pallor of her
cheeks.

The priest then put in solemn voice to each of us in turn, beginning with
me, the questions of consent which are co