It was enough to glance at him as he took his place beside her, the proudest and happiest of men.

A miracle had been wrought for him; kind fate, in giving her to his arms, had blotted out those long years of sorrow, and to-day Fanny was the betrothed of his youth, beautiful in his sight as when first he looked upon her.
Her sister, younger by five years, had more regular lineaments, but she too was worn with suffering, and her sightless eyes made it more distressing to contemplate her.

She spoke cheerfully, however, and laughed with joy in Fanny's happiness.

Barfoot pressed both her hands with the friendliest warmth.
One vehicle conveyed them all to the church, and in half an hour the lady to whom the piano was addressed had come into being.

The simplest of transformations; no bridal gown, no veil, no wreath; only the gold ring for symbol of union.