He held a ring, glittering with precious stones, on high, and, pronouncing the words of betrothal, he dropped it upon the bosom of his fancied spouse.

Shouts arose, trumpets blew their blasts, and each lady waved her handkerchief, in felicitation of the happy union.

In the midst of the fracas--which was greatly heightened by the roar of cannon on board the cruisers in the channel, and from the guns in the arsenal--a boat glided into the open space beneath the gallery of the Bucentaur.

The movement of the arm which directed the light gondola was dexterous and still strong, though the hairs of him who held the oar were thin and white.

A suppliant eye was cast up at the happy faces that adorned the state of the prince, and then the look was changed intently to the water.