to the State, to which we all
owe quite as much, or even greater duty, than the most faithful wife owes
to her husband, I would not have you suppose that I have not a high
veneration for matrimony. So far from this, I have looked on no part of
this day's ceremonies with more satisfaction than these of the nuptials,
which we are now called upon to complete in a manner suitable to the
importance of the occasion. Let the bridegroom and the bride stand forth,
that all may the better see the happy pair."

At the bidding of the bailiff, Jacques Colis led Christine upon the little
stage prepared for their reception, where both were more completely in
view of the spectators than they had yet been. The movement, and the
agitation consequent on so public an exposure, deepened the bloom on the
soft cheeks of the bride, and another and a still less equivocal murmur of
applause arose in the multitude. The spectacle of youth, innocence, and
feminine loveliness, strongly stirred the sympathies of even the most
churlish and rude; and most present began to feel for her fears, and to
participate in her hopes.

"This is excellent!" continued the well-pleased Peterchen, who was never
half so happy as when he was officially providing for the happiness of
others; "it promises a happy _menage_. A loyal, frugal, industrious, and
active groom, with a fair and willing bride, can drive discontent up any
man's chimney. That which is to be done next, being legal and binding,
must be done with proper gravity and respect. Let the notary advance--not
him who hath so aptly played this character, but the commendable and
upright officer who is rightly charged with these respectable
functions--and we will listen to the contract. I recommend a decent
silence, my friends, for the true laws and real matrimony are at the
bottom--a grave affair at the best, and one never to be treated with
levity; since a few words pronounced now in haste may be repented of for a
whole life hereafter."

Every thing was conducted according to the wishes of the bailiff, and with
great decency of form. A true and authorized notary read aloud the
marriage-contract, the instrument which contained the civic relations and
rights of the parties, and which only waited for the signatures to be
complete. This document required, of course, that the real names of the
contracting parties, their ages, births, parentage, and all those facts
which are necessary to establish their identity, a