Dr. Blackly looked from one to the other with evident embarrassment, and then said to Mr. Garie, in a low, hesitating tone:—­

“I think there has been some mistake here—­will you do me the favour to step into another room?”

Mr. Garie mechanically complied, and stood waiting to learn the cause of Dr. Blackly’s strange conduct.

“You are a white man, I believe?” at last stammered forth the doctor.

“Yes, sir; I presume my appearance is a sufficient guarantee of that,” answered Mr. Garie.

“Oh yes, I do not doubt it, and for that reason you must not be surprised if I decline to proceed with the ceremony.”

“I do not see how my being a white man can act as a barrier to its performance,” remarked Mr. Garie in reply.  “It would not, sir, if all the parties were of one complexion; but I do not believe in the propriety of amalgamation, and on no consideration could I be induced to assist in the union of a white man or woman with a person who has the slightest infusion of African blood in their veins.  I believe the negro race,” he continued, “to be marked out by the hand of God for servitude; and you must pardon me if I express my surprise that a gentleman of your evident intelligence should seek such a connection—­you must be labouring under some horrible infatuation.”

“Enough, sir,” replied Mr. Garie, proudly; “I only regret that I did not know it was necessary to relate every circumstance of appearance, complexion, &c.  I wished to obtain a marriage certificate, not a passport.  I mistook you for a Christian minister, which mistake you will please to consider as my apology for having troubled you;” and thus speaking, he bowed Dr. Blackly out of the house.  Mr. Garie stepped back to the door of the parlour and called out Mr. Ellis.

“We are placed in a very difficult dilemma,” said he, as he was joined by the latter.  “Would you believe it? that prejudiced old sinner has actually refused to marry us.”

“It is no more than you might have expected of him—­he’s a thorough nigger-hater—­keeps a pew behind the organ of his church for coloured people, and will not permit them to receive the sacrament until all the white members of his congregation are served.  Why, I don’t see what on earth induced you to send for him.”

“I knew nothing of his sentiments respecting coloured people.  I did not for a moment have an idea that he would hesitate to marry us.  There is no law here that forbids it.  What can we do?” said Mr. Garie, despairingly.

“I know a minister who will marry you with pleasure, if I can only catch him at home; he is so much engaged in visiting the sick and other pastoral duties.”

“Do go—­hunt him up, Ellis.  It will be a great favour to me, if you can induce him to come.  Poor Emily—­what a disappointment this will be to her,” said he, as he entered the room where she was sitting.

“What is the matter, dear?” she asked, as she observed Garie’s anxious face.  “I hope there is no new difficulty.”