Part 49 (1/2)
”Is ready,” replied the priest. ”Madam, delay not longer. Daughter, your hand.”
Eleanor gave her hand. It was clammy and cold. Supported by her mother, she moved slowly towards the altar, which was but a few steps from where they stood. She offered no resistance, but did not raise her head. Luke was by her side. Then for the first time did the enormity of the cruel, dishonorable act he was about to commit, strike him with its full force. He saw it in its darkest colors. It was one of those terrible moments when the headlong wheel of pa.s.sion stands suddenly still.
”There is yet time,” groaned he. ”Oh! let me not d.a.m.n myself perpetually! Let me save her; save Sybil; save myself.”
They were at the altar--that wild wedding train. High over head the torch was raised. The red light flashed on bridegroom and on bride, giving to the pale features of each an almost livid look; it fell upon the gaunt aspect of the s.e.xton, and lit up the smile of triumphant malice that played upon his face; it fell upon the fantastical habiliments of Barbara, and upon the haughty but perturbed physiognomy of Mrs. Mowbray; it fell upon the salient points of the Gothic arches; upon one molded pillar; upon the marble image of the virgin Thecla; and on the scarcely less marble countenance of Sybil who stood behind the altar, silent, statue-like, immovable. The effect of light and shade on other parts of the scene, upon the wild drapery, and harsh lineaments of many of the group, was also eminently striking.
Just as the priest was about to commence the marriage service, a yelling chorus, which the gipsies were accustomed to sing at the celebration of the nuptials of one of their own tribe, burst forth. Nothing could be more horribly discordant than their song.
WEDDING CHORUS OF GIPSIES
Sc.r.a.pe the catgut! pa.s.s the liquor!
Let your quick feet move the quicker.
Ta-ra-la!
Dance and sing in jolly chorus, Bride and bridegroom are before us, And the patrico stands o'er us.
Ta-ra-la!
To unite their hands he's ready; For a moment, pals, be steady; Cease your quaffing, Dancing, laughing; Leave off riot, And be quiet, While 'tis doing.
'Tis begun, All is over!
Two are ONE!
The patrico has link'd 'em; Daddy Hymen's torch has blink'd 'em.
Amen!
To 't again!
Now for quaffing, Now for laughing, Stocking-throwing, Liquor flowing; For our bridals are no bridles, and our altars never alter; From the flagon never flinch we, in the jig we never falter.
No! that's not _our_ way, for _we_ Are staunch lads of Romany.
For our wedding, then, hurrah!
Hurrah! hurrah! hurrah!
This uncouth chorus ended, the marriage proceeded. Sybil had disappeared. Had she fled? No! she was by the bride. Eleanor mechanically took her place. A faint voice syllabled the responses. You could scarcely have seen Miss Mowbray's lips move. But the answers were given, and the priest was satisfied.
He took the ring, and sprinkled it once again with the holy water, in the form of the cross. He p.r.o.nounced the prayer: ”_Benedic, Domine, annulum hunc, quem nos in tuo nomine benedicimus, ut quae eum gestaverit, fidelitatem integram suo sponso tenens, in pace et voluntate tua permaneat atque in mutua charitate semper vivat._”
He was about to return the ring to Luke, when the torch, held by the knight of Malta, was dashed to the ground by some unseen hand, and instantly extinguished. The wild pageant vanished as suddenly as the figures cast by a magic-lantern upon a wall disappear when the gla.s.s is removed. A wild hubbub succeeded. Hoa.r.s.ely above the clamor arose the voice of Barbara.
”To the door, quickly!--to the door! Let no one pa.s.s, I will find out the author of this mishap anon. Away!”
She was obeyed. Several of the crew stationed themselves at the door.
”Proceed now with the ceremony,” continued Barbara. ”By darkness, or by light, the match shall be completed.”
The ring was then placed upon the finger of the bride; and as Luke touched it, he shuddered. It was cold as that of the corpse which he had clasped but now. The prayer was said, the blessing given, the marriage was complete.
Suddenly there issued from the darkness deep dirge-like tones, and a voice solemnly chanted a strain, which all knew to be the death-song of their race, hymned by wailing women over an expiring sister. The music seemed to float in the air.
THE SOUL-BELL