At length came the wedding-day, with such circumstances of pomp and display as the exceeding wealth and Colonial dignity of Colonel Belford could surround it.  For the wedding-breakfast the great folding-doors between the drawing-room and the dining-room of Colonel Belford’s house were flung wide open, and a table extending the whole length of the two apartments was set with the most sumptuous and exquisite display of plate and china.  Around the board were collected the distinguished company, and the occasion was remarkable not less for the richness of its display than for the exquisite nature of the repast intended to celebrate so auspicious an occasion.

At the head of the board sat the young couple, radiant with an engrossing happiness that took no thought of what the future might have in store for it, but was contented with the triumphant ecstasy of the moment.

These elegant festivities were at their height, when there suddenly arose a considerable disputation in the hallway beyond, and before any one could inquire as to what was occurring, Captain Obadiah Belford came stumping into the room, swinging his ivory-headed cane, and with an expression of the most malicious triumph impressed upon his countenance.  Directing his address to the bridegroom, and paying no attention to any other one of the company, he cried out:  “Though not bidden to this entertainment, I have come to pay you a debt I owe.  Here is twenty pounds I promised to pay you for marrying my niece.”

Therewith he drew a silk purse full of gold pieces from his pocket, which he hung over the ferrule of his cane and reached across the table to the bridegroom.  That gentleman, upon his part (having expected some such episode as this), arose, and with a most polite and elaborate bow accepted the same and thrust it into his pocket.

“And now, my young gentleman,” cried Captain Obadiah, folding his arms and tucking his cane under his armpit, looking the while from under his brows upon the company with a most malevolent and extravagant grin—­ “and now, my young gentleman, perhaps you will favor the ladies and gentlemen here present with an account of what services they are I thus pay for.”

“To be sure I will,” cried out our hero, “and that with the utmost willingness in the world.”

During all this while the elegant company had sat as with suspended animation, overwhelmed with wonder at the singular address of the intruder.  Even the servants stood still with the dishes in their hands the better to hear the outcome of the affair.  The bride, overwhelmed by a sudden and inexplicable anxiety, felt the color quit her face, and reaching out, seized her lover’s hand, who took hers very readily, holding it tight within his grasp.  As for Colonel and Madam Belford, not knowing what this remarkable address portended, they sat as though turned to stone, the one gone as white as ashes, and the other as red in the face as a cherry.  Our young gentleman,