 | CHAPTER IV. The mysterious state-room |  |
4. CHAPTER IV.
The next day all of the friends of Captain Hunter were congratulating
him upon his good looks and fine spirits; and when the Captain
was seen to escort the mysterious beauty, (the two apparently on the
best terms together,) into the dining-room, curiosity became once
more alive, and numerous were the surmises this sudden acquaintance
gave rise to.
If this little incident created suspicion, the astonishment of every
body was not lessened, when it was rumored the third day afterwards
the handsome and gallant Captain Harry Hunter was to be married at
twelve o'clock, by Dr. Warren, in the military chapel. The ceremony
drew crowds of the beauty and chivalry of the spot to the church
at the given hour.
Dr. Warren rose up, and the ceremony commenced. Every eye
was fixed upon the two who were about to be united. A nobler looking
man, a fairer woman never stood up together before the marriage
altar. There was a universal hum of admiration, yet the intensest curiosity
was mingled with the approbation. The lady was observed to
place a paper in the hands of the clergyman, who glance at it with a
look of surprise and doubt—his eye then fixed upon it with eager interest,
and he then, a moment afterwards, proceeded with the ceremony.
`He knows her name,' was the mental observation of every lady in
the thronged chapel. `We shall all soon learn it!'
Expectation was on tiptoe. Curiosity was at its height. The mystery
was about to be solved.
The rites proceeded, and the clergyman solemnly said to the handsome
soldier,
`Wilt thou have this woman to thy wedded wife, to live together
her, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others keep thee only
unto her, so long as ye both shall live?'
`I will!' swelled through the church in the deep, manly voice of the
gallant soldier; and many a maiden as she heard his fine voice and
rested her gaze on his noble person, confessed in her heart that he was
well worthy to become the protector and cherisher of a lovely woman.
`Wilt thou have this man to thy wedded husband, to live together after
God's ordinance, in the holy estate of matrimony? Wilt thou obey
him, and serve him, love, honor and keep him in sickness and health;
and, forsaking all others, keep thee only unto him, so long as ye both
shall live?'
`I will,' answered the maiden, in a voice that went to every soul
with the love and confidence and hope with which it was laden. And
many a noble officer envied him by her side who was to be loved and
honored and kept, both in sickness and in health, by so fair a being.
There was a moment's expectant silence, when the clergyman said,
looking around `Who giveth this woman to be married to this man?'
When every one looked for the homely uncle to approach and give her
away, to the surprise of all, a gentleman from New York, and the
wealthiest banker in America, who had, unexpectedly to his friends,
arrived at the Point that morning, advanced with dignity, and taking
her ungloved hand, which seemed like ivory into which life had been
breathed, placed it in that of the clergyman. The bridegroom was
evidently unprepared for the presence of this gentleman; and it was
apparent also from the glances that he cast upon the paper in the clergyman's
hand that he was yet unacquainted with its contents.
Their right hands being joined, he first repeated in an audible voice,
after the minister—
`I, Henry, take thee Clara, (here a thousand eyes exchanged glances,
for her first name was known, and from the decided tone in which
he repeated it, it was plain that he himself had then heard it for the
first time,) to my wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward,
for better, for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and health
to love and cherish till death us do part, according to God's holy ordinance;
and thereto I plight my troth.'
She also repeated her corresponding part of the ceremony, in a
firm, clear, yet sweetly feminine voice, when Harry receiving it from
the minister, placed upon her finger a plain gold ring, and said, in a
distinct voice that filled the chapel,
`With this ring I thee wed, and with all my worldly goods I thee
endow: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy
Ghost.'
After the prayer, the clergyman joined their hands together, repeated
in a tone of solemn fervor,
`Those that God hath joined together, let no man put asunder.'
Then turning to the assembly he said, while his eye seemed to anticipate
the effect his words were about to produce,
`Forasmuch as Francis Livingstone Catesby and Clara Huntly,
Countess of Chesterton, have consented together in holy wedlock and
have witnessed the same before God and this company, and thereto
have given and pledged their troth, each to the other, and have declared
the same by giving and receiving a ring, and by joining hands; I pronounce
that they are man and wife.'
After the announcement of the name and title of the bride, the rest
of the clergyman's words were lost in the general burst of surprise
from every lady present, and a thousand eyes were turned on the bride
with new and stranger interest.
`I knew it,' cried the triumphant pros.
`Who would have believed it!' exclaimed the disconcertel cons.
The surprise of the bridegroom need not be painted. He loved her,
believing her of low degree—he could love her with no greater ardor
even as Lady Clara Huntly.
So ends my story, my dear—and I will conclude the rest in my
letter.
`The gentleman who gave the bride away was Mr. A—, her banker,
to whom she had written to attend the ceremony. The paper
she gave the priest contained her name and title. Catesby neither knew
nor suspected anything of so singular and fortunate a denouement. In
a few weeks, Frank having resigned his commission in the army, left
America for this country, and on their arrival, drove directly over to
Castle C—' where his charming wife at once surrendered to him
her family mansion and vast estates. The change has not spoiled him.
He is one of the most agreeable and gentlemanly men in England, and
highly popular in his country. He is called by courtesy, (his wife's
title having been by her marriage merged in his republican Mister or
Captain,) Lord C—, of C—Castle, C—. His charming
wife is devoted to him heart and soul. Never was a marriage more
bosom—she knew him only to be a young American, without rank or
title, yet, for love, she gave him all she had to give—beauty, wealth,
and rank among nobles. They have two lovely children, a boy and
girl; and the only subject on which they differ is their education. Catesby
is for making the little fellow a republican, and sending him to West
Point; while Clara intends him for Parliament, and to inherit her father's
title and estates, which he will do—the little fellow's title being
through his mother, Lord Viscount C—. You will by this time
understand that the `uncle and aunt,' were Lady Clara's steward and his
wife, whom she dragged with her from home, half over the world as
her protectors when she started off on her wild travels. There can be
nogreater instance of the peculiarly independent character of her mind
than the fact of her quitting with disgust, the scenes of London disappation
and resisting the fascinations of her numerous admirers, to
roam amid the scenery of America, and commune with the works of
nature in a world where nature has exhibited in the most stupendous
manner her power and majesty. They live very retired, and seldom
stay more than a third of the season in town. The remainder of the
year they are in the country combining together in dispensing for the
happiness and comfort of their numerous dependants the wealth with
which they are blest. It was by accident I met Frank in town at the
close of the season, and as he would not let me say nay—and something
of his story coming to my mind, I consented to go down with him,
partly from curiosity to learn its truth, I confess, but mainly, as you
must know, to enjoy once more the society of one who was for four
years my fellow cadet. Do not say after this that my letters are too
short. Adieu, until the next trip of the Liverpool.
| CHAPTER IV. The mysterious state-room | |