In spotless white the bride is led to the marriage shrine, and in white she is prepared for the last sublime espousals.

Do you know," added he, suddenly changing the theme, as if conscious he was touching upon something too solemn, "why I selected the scarlet geranium for one of the blossoms of your bouquet?
The first time I saw you, it glowed in the darkness of your hair like coral in the ocean's heart." While he was speaking he broke a sprig from the bouquet and placed it in a wave of my hair, behind the band of pearls.
"Earth and ocean bring you their tribute," said he, and "heaven too," he added; for as we passed by the pillars, a moon-beam glided in and laid its silver touch on my brow.
"It is Edith's hand that thus adorned me," I answered, unwilling he should believe I had been consulting my own ambitious taste.

"Had I been left to myself, I should have sought no ornament but these beautiful flowers, doubly precious for the feelings of kindness and compassion that consecrated their mission." "Compassion, Gabriella! I should as soon think of compassionating the star that shines brightest in the van of night.

Compassion looks down; kindness implies an equal ground; admiration looks up with the gaze of the astronomer and the worship of the devotee." "You forget I am but a simple, village rustic.

Such exaggerated compliments would suit better the brilliant dames of the city.