So certain of the male relatives of the girls were sent for to accompany me, and I went to their houses.

On entering the house of the first one, it was only after long and elaborate argument and diplomatic management, that we could induce the bride to come in from the other room and meet me.

At length she came, with her face partially veiled, and attended by several married women, her relatives.
They soon began to ply me with questions.

"Do you have the communion before the ceremony ?" "No." "Do you use the "Ikleel" or crown, in the service ?" "No, we sometimes use the ring." Said one, "I hear that you ask the girl if she is willing to take this man to be her husband." "Certainly we do." "Well, if that rule had been followed in my day, I know of _one_ woman who would have said _no_; but they do not give us Greek women the chance." I then explained to them that the bride must stand beside the bridegroom, and when I asked her if she knew of any lawful reason why she should _not_ marry this man, Ibrahim, she should say _No_,--and when I asked her if she took him to be her lawful and wedded husband, she must answer _Yes_.

Some of the women were under great apprehension that she might answer No in the wrong place; so I repeated it over and over again until the girl was sure she should not make a mistake.