When these pledges, oaths, and asseverations were duly made and recorded, the archbishop caused the happy pair to be wreathed together, by encircling them with his episcopal tail, and they were then pronounced monikin and monikina.

I pass over the congratulations, which were quite in rule, to relate a short conversation I held with the brigadier.
"Sir," said I, addressing that person, as soon as the prelate said 'amen,' "how is this?
I have seen a certificate, myself, which showed that there was a just admeasurement of the fitness of this union, on the score of other considerations than those mentioned in the ceremony ?" "That certificate has no connection with this ceremony." "And yet this ceremony repudiates all the considerations enumerated in the certificate ?" "This ceremony has no connection with that certificate." "So it would seem; and yet both refer to the same solemn engagement!" "Why, to tell you the truth, Sir John Goldencalf, we monikins (for in these particulars Leaphigh is Leaplow) have two distinct governing principles in all that we say or do, which may be divided into the theoretical and the practical--moral and immoral would not be inapposite--but, by the first we control all our interests, down as far as facts, when we immediately submit to the latter.

There may possibly be something inconsistent in appearance in such an arrangement; but then our most knowing ones say that it works well.

No doubt among men, you get along without the embarrassment of so much contradiction." I now advanced to pay my respects to the Countess of Chatterino, who stood supported by the countess-dowager, a lady of great dignity and elegance of demeanor.

The moment I appeared, the elaborate air of modesty, vanished from the charming countenance of the bride, in a look of natural pleasure; and, turning to her new mother, she pointed me out as a man! The courteous old dowager gave me a very kind reception, inquiring if I had enough good things to eat, whether I was not much astonished at the multitude of strange sights I beheld in Leaphigh, said I ought to be much obliged to her son for consenting to bring me over, and invited me to come and see her some fine morning.
I bowed my thanks, and then returned to join the brigadier, with a view to seek an introduction to the archbishop.