“Our own little world at Ion is all I should ask for,” she responded in tremulous tones.

“Yes, it must be very hard for you,” he said; “especially not to have mamma here, you who have always clung to her so closely.  Such a different wedding as it is from hers!  But it’s very romantic you know,” he added jocosely, trying to raise her drooping spirits.

“Ah, I am forgetting a piece of news I have to tell I met an American gentleman and his daughter, the other day, fell into conversation with him, and learned that we have several common acquaintances I think we were mutually pleased, and I have asked him and his daughter in to the wedding; thinking it would not be unpleasant to you, and we should thus have two more witnesses.”

“Perhaps it is best we should,” she returned, in her sweet, gentle way, yet looking somewhat disturbed.

“I’m afraid I ought to have consulted you first,” he said.  “I’m sorry, but it is too late now His name is Love; his daughter—­an extremely pretty girl by the way—­he calls Zoe.”

Ben now came to the door to say that all was in readiness—­the minister, the doctor, and the other gentleman and a lady had arrived.

Edward gave his arm to his sister and led her into the room, to which Lester had been carried a few moments before, and where he lay on a luxurious couch, propped up with pillows into a half-sitting posture.

A touch of color came into his pale cheeks, and his eyes shone with love and joy as they rested upon his lovely bride, as Edward led her to the side of his couch.

Dinah and Ben followed, taking their places near the door and watching the proceedings with interest and sympathy.

The minister stood up, the doctor, the stranger guests, the nurse also, and the ceremony began.

Elsie’s eyes were full of tears, but her sweet low tones were distinct and clear as she took the marriage vows.

So were Lester’s; his voice seemed stronger than it had been for weeks, and when he took the small white-gloved hand in his, the grasp was firm as well as tender.

“One kiss, my love, my wife!” he pleaded when the ceremony was ended.

A soft blush suffused the fair face and neck, but the request was granted; she bent over him and for an instant their lips met.

Then Edward embraced her with brotherly affection and good wishes.  He grasped Lester’s hand in cordial greeting, then turned and introduced his new-made friends to the bride and groom.

A table loaded with delicacies stood in an adjoining room, and thither the brother and sister and their guests now repaired, while for a short season the invalid was left to quietness and repose that he might recover from the unwonted excitement and fatigue.

CHAPTER VII.

    “Therein he them fall fair did entertain,
     Not with such forged shows as fitter been
     For courting fools, that courtesies would faine,
     But with entire affection plain.”
          —­Spenser’s “Fairy Queen."