Thereupon the maidens form a ring around the bride, sing songs to her to conquer her bashfulness, and so induce her to yield her hand to the bridegroom.

After this the bridesmaids escort her to her new home--which in this case was represented by the little house that Aaron had secretly furnished for her.

Neither Blanka nor Manasseh had even suspected what he was about.
Blanka found herself in the paradise of her dreams, and when her attendants had placed a gold-embroidered cap on her head, and she came forth again into the courtyard,--which was now crowded with eager friends,--her hand in that of the man whose wife and queen she was thenceforth to be, it seemed to her that the happiness of heaven itself was her portion.
Five hundred guests partook of the wedding feast.

Food and drink were provided in plenty, and every heart was filled to overflowing with the joy of the occasion.

And yet, to Blanka herself, something was still lacking.