How strange that gush of
human feeling from the frozen bosom of a corpse! He wiped away the
tears even with his shroud.
"Beloved of my youth," said he, "I have been wild. The despair of
my whole lifetime had returned at once, and maddened me. Forgive;
and be forgiven. Yes; it is evening with us now; and we have
realized none of our morning dreams of happiness. But let us join
our hands before the altar, as lovers whom adverse circumstances
have separated through life, yet who meet again as they are leaving
it, and find their earthly affection changed into something holy as
religion. And what is Time, to the married of Eternity?"
Amid the tears of many, and a swell of exalted sentiment, in
those who felt aright, was solemnized the union of two immortal souls.
The train of withered mourners, the hoary bridegroom in his shroud,
the pale features of the aged bride, and the death-bell tolling
through the whole, till its deep voice overpowered the marriage words,
all marked the funeral of earthly hopes. But as the ceremony
proceeded, the organ, as if stirred by the sympathies of this
impressive scene, poured forth an anthem, first mingling with the
dismal knell, then rising to a loftier strain, till the soul looked
down upon its wo.
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