This was the strict union, without end, the sign of her dependence upon him, which would recall to her constantly the vows she had made; it was also the promise of a long series of years, to be passed together, as if by this little circle of gold they were attached to each other even to the grave.
And while the priest, after the final prayers, exhorted them once more, Angelique wore always the sweet expression of renunciation; she, the pure soul, who knew the truth.
Then, as the Abbe Cornille withdrew, accompanied by his clerks, the organs again burst forth with peals of joy.

Monseigneur, motionless until now, bent towards the young couple with an expression of great mildness in his eagle-like eyes.

Still on their knees, the Huberts lifted their heads, blinded by their tears of joy.

And the enormous depths of the organs' peals rolled and lost themselves by degrees in a hail of little sharp notes, which were swept away under the high arches, like the morning song of the lark.

There was a long waving movement, a half-hushed sound amongst the reverential crowd, who filled to overflowing even the side-aisles and the nave.