ighted at the old gentleman's princely mansion in Hudson street and
entered a magnificent apartment in which a bridal supper had been
prepared for them. Julia, as the mistress of the house, was received
with the most profound respect by half a score of domestics, clad in
plain but costly livery. Everything betokened unbounded wealth, and the
repast was served on a scale of splendid luxury--every article of plate
being of massive silver. Viands the most _recherche_ graced the board,
and wines the most rare added zest to the feast. There, sparkling like
the bright waters of the Castalian fountain, flowed the rich Greek
wine--a classic beverage, fit for the gods; there, too, was the delicate
wine of Persia, fragrant with the spices of the East; and the
diamond-crested champagne, inspiring divinities of poesy and Love.

'Drink, my Julia,' cried the happy bridegroom--'one cup to Hymen, and
then let us seek his joys in each other's arms. I have a chamber
prepared for us, which I have dedicated to Venus and to Cupid; there
hath Love spread his wing, and beneath it shall we enjoy extatic repose.
Come, dearest.'

He took her hand, and preceded by a female domestic bearing candles,
conducted her up a broad marble staircase; they entered an apartment
sumptuously furnished--it was the bridal chamber. The footstep fell
noiseless upon the thick and yielding carpet; each chair was a gilded
throne, and each sofa a luxurious divan, cushioned with purple velvet.
Vast paintings, on subjects chiefly mythological, were reflected in
immense mirrors, reaching from floor to ceiling. The bed was curtained
with white satin, spangled with silver stars; and a wilderness of
flowers, in exquisite vases, enriched the atmosphere with their perfume.

The old gentleman kissed his bride, whispered a few words in her ear,
and left the chamber, followed by the domestic. Then Julia was waited
upon by two young ladies, dressed in white, who saluted her
respectfully, and signified their desire to assist her in disrobing.

'We are only servants, madam,' said they, modestly,--'we perform the
duties of housekeepers for Mr. Hedge, and are highly honored if we can
be of service to his lady.'

But the truth is, these young ladies were the illegitimate daughters of
the old gentleman. Tho' Julia was his first wife, in his young days he
had formed an attachment for a poor but lovely young woman;
circumstances would not admit of his marrying her, and as she loved h