Alexander had summoned them.

The guests, however, found nothing strange in their disappearance, but merely gave themselves up the more unrestrainedly to the gaiety of the occasion.

That the bride and groom should have vanished so suddenly was entirely in accord with established usage: the loving pair had, it was taken for granted, sought the spot where all the delights of paradise awaited them.

How different was the reality from these conjectures! Blanka watched through the long hours by the dead man's couch.

So passed her wedding night.
At early dawn the tolling of bells announced to the people of Toroczko that death had laid his cold hand on one of their number.