Archdale. From the first hour my fate was
sealed; I loved her as only a man of strong and deep emotions can love,
with a very different feeling from the devotion her young admirers gave
her, ardent though they considered themselves. I had many rivals, some
the young lady herself so disapproved that they ceased troubling me,
even with their presence at her side. Among the others were only two
worthy of attention, and only one whom I feared. I was reticent and
watched; it was too soon to speak. But as I watched my fear of that one
increased, for age, association, a sternness of manner that unbent only
to her, many things in him showed me his possibilities of success. With
that rival out of my path, my way to victory was clear. There came a day
when, without lifting my finger against him, I could effectually remove
him. I did it. It was unjustifiable, but the temptation rushed upon me
suddenly with overwhelming force, and it was irresistible, for opposite
me sat Katie, more beautiful and lovable than ever, and beside her was
my rival, her cousin, with an air of security and satisfaction that
aroused the evil in me. It was August; we were on the river in a dead
calm, and at Mistress Archdale's suggestion had been telling stories for
amusement. Mine happened to be about a runaway match, and interested the
young people so much, that when I had finished they asked several
questions; one was in reference to a remark of mine, innocently made,
that the marriage ceremony itself, pure and simple, was something
unimaginably short. The story I had told illustrated this, and some of
the party asked me more particularly as to what the form was. Then I saw
my opportunity, and I took it. 'If one of the young ladies will permit
Master Archdale to take her hand a moment,' I said, 'I think I can
recollect the words; I will show you how short the formula may be.'
Master Archdale was for holding Katie's hand, but happily, as it seemed
to me at the moment, she was on the wrong side. I requested him to take
the lady on the other hand, who seemed a trifle unready for the jest,
but was induced by the entreaties of the others, and especially of
Mistress Katie herself. I went through the marriage service over them as
rapidly as I dared, my voice sounding to myself thick with the beating
of my heart. But no one noticed this; of course, it was all fun. And so
that summer evening, all in fun, except on my part, Stephen Archdale and
Elizabeth Royal were