89. CHAPTER LXXXIX.
THE RESTORATION.
At Washington the excitement was intense. On the
morning succeeding the arrival of the President—which had
occurred in the night—the whole population of the city
appeared to be hastening to the White House for the purpose
of uttering their congratulations. Randolph stood in
the great East-room, calm and self-possessed, precisely as
he did immediately after the rupture of the Government.
But a slight smile of the satisfaction he felt was perceptible
on his lip.
And Alice stood, pale and proudly, at his side — proud of
the Republic, and pale from the subsidence of the violent
emotions which had so long agitated her. Edith, clinging
to the arm of her honored father, was radiant with smiles and
blushes, for Blount was presently to lead her to the altar,
and her imagination could not now summon even the
shadow of a phantom to mar the ceremony. And Crook
was present, all glee and exultation—for he was immediately
to be made Secretary of War, and had sent a message to
his family to repair without delay to the Capital.
The Diplomatic representatives of all the nations were
there, in their stars and ribbons; and Lord Slysir seemed
as well contented at the turn affairs had taken as any of
them.
Never before had there been so much enthusiasm at the
Executive Mansion. The multitude was so great it was
impossible to keep open the avenues for the visitors, and
hundreds might have been seen passing through the windows.
For hours the President did nothing but submit his
hand to be shaken by his friends; and then, embracing the
first good opportunity, Alice having preceded him, he
made his escape into the green-room, where he found the
wedding party awaiting his presence. Soon after his appearance,
a side door opened, and Mrs. Punt appeared,
leading her husband. All eyes were turned upon the intruders.
“Well? Who are you?” demanded the President,
gazing at Punt.
“I'm a ship-carpenter by trade,” said he, “and—and—
you owe me a hundred dollars!”
“I do? Yes—I remember!” said Randolph, smiling,
and thrusting his hand in his pocket. “But, my friend,”
he continued, a moment after, “I have not so much money
about me at this moment, and you must call again to-morrow,
or the next day, and the account shall be audited and paid.”
“That'll do—come out, Punt!” said Mrs. P., and he
obeyed.
“And that reminds me,” said Alice, “of a deposit in my
keeping. It is in the next room. I will fetch it in a moment.”
She withdrew, and returned instantly, bearing the
sealed packet belonging to Lord Slysir, which had been
placed in her keeping at the Castle.
“Will your Excellency,” said his Lordship, “break the
seals?”
“If you desire it,” said Randolph, tearing away the paper.
“But what have we here?” he continued, gazing at
the contents, while the rest looked on with interest.
“My breeches!” exclaimed Crook.
“Your breeches!” said Slysir; “and I am much obliged
for the loan of them.”
“Never mind the breeches!” said Crook. “Let us have
the wedding!”
It was with great difficulty that the lines of carriages
passed to the church through the dense crowd, constantly
increasing in magnitude, as train after train arrived every
hour, both from the North and the South, filled with patriotic
citizens.
“Father,” said Alice, when the carriages halted temporarily,
while a procession of young girls, dressed in white,
with garlands, obstructed the way, “I hope your clemency
will be extended to all. I trust no more blood will be shed,
and that the rejoicing will be universal.”
“Never fear, Alice,” said he, “that I shall become MARBLE,
since you are flesh and blood again. But, really, my
child, I would be glad to see more color in your face.”
“Fear not for me, father! The good Doctor Durnell
need not be so particular in his attentions. It is not consumption
nor the ague. But let me plead for the late
offenders—”
“I must except Windvane. The fellow begged a private
interview this morning, and had the impudence to
claim great merit for his secret correspondence with you.
I told him that was subsequent to the change of the wind,
and that I should have no use for him. But I will not pursue
him, or any of his colleagues, with my vengeance. But
Slysir's case is the most difficult. He says he is really in
love with you—”
“Father! if he refers to the subject again, pray rebuke
him, effectually and finally.”
The ceremony was performed by the Rev. Dr. Love, in
the presence of as many witnesses as the church could contain.
And when the bridal party returned to the Presidential
Mansion, the signal was given, and a thousand guns
were fired in honor of the Restoration. All the flags, bearing
the stars and stripes, floated once more on the breeze;
and Generals Valiant and Carleton ordered the hands to
play “The Star-Spangled Banner,” “Hail, Columbia, Happy
Land,” and, finally, “Yankee Doodle.” Then followed
the waving of hats, and thunders of spontaneous huzzas!
