The blithe birds sung their matins amid the branches that hung their leafy drapery around and above Irene's windows, in seeming echoes to the songs love was singing in her heart.

Nature put on the loveliest attire in all her ample wardrobe, and decked herself with coronals and wreaths of flowers that loaded the air with sweetness.
"May your lives flow together like two pure streams that meet in the same valley, and as bright a sky bend always over you as gives its serene promise for to-day." Thus spoke the minister as the ceremonials closed that wrought the external bond of union between them.

His words were uttered with feeling and solemnity; for marriage, in his eyes, was no light thing.

He had seen too many sad hearts struggling in chains that only death could break, ever to regard marriage with other than sober thoughts that went questioning away into the future.
The "amen" of Mr.Delancy was not audibly spoken, but it was deep-voiced in his heart.
There was to be a wedding-tour of a few weeks, and then the young couple were to take possession of a new home in the city, Which Mr.
Emerson had prepared for his bride.

The earliest boat that came up from New York was to bears the party to Albany, Saratoga being the first point of their destination.
After the closing of the marriage ceremony some two or three hours passed before the time of departure came.