When the ceremony was concluded, those who attended it of course returned to Felix’s house to partake of the wedding-dinner.  He, indeed, seemed to be gifted with new life; his eyes sparkled, and a deep carmine of his cheek was dazzling to look upon.  Courtesy, and the usages prevalent on such occasions, compelled him to drink more than his state of health was just then capable of bearing; he did not, however, transgress the bounds of moderation.  Still the noise of many tongues, the sounds of laughter, and the din of mirth, joined to the consciousness that his happiness was now complete, affected him with the feverish contagion of the moment.  He talked hurriedly and loud, and seemed to feel as if the accomplishment of his cherished hopes was too much for his heart to bear.

In the midst of all this jollity a change which none observed came over him.  His laugh became less frequent than his shudder or his sigh, and taking Alley aside, he begged she would walk with him to the beach.

“The say-breeze,” said he, “and a sate upon the rocks—­upon our thyme-bank, where we’ve often sat happily, Alley dear, will bring me to myself soon.  I am tired, asthore machree, of all this noise and confusion.  Come away, darling, we’ll be happier with one another than with all these people about us.”

His young bride accompanied him, and as they went, her happy heart beating under that arm to whose support she had now a right, her love the while calm and secure in its own deep purity, she saw before them, in bright perspective, many, many years of domestic affection and peace.

There they sat in the mellow sunset, until the soft twilight had gradually melted away the lengthened shadows of the rocks about them.  Their hands were locked in each other, their hearts burned within them, and a tenderness which can be felt only by souls equally pure and innocent touched their delighted converse into something that might be deemed beautiful and holy.

Artless, humble, and happy pair!  Sit on and enjoy the only brief glimpse of this earth’s heaven which you will ever get.  It is the last time that heart will beat responsive to heart, and soul tremble to and mingle with soul between you.

Long before the hour of their, return, Felix had felt much worse than during any preceding part of the day.  The vivid and affectionate hopes of future happiness expressed by Alley added to his concern, and increased his tenderness towards her, especially when he contrasted his own physical sensations with the unsuspicious character of her opinion concerning his illness and the cause that produced it.  ’Tis true he disguised all this as long as he could; but at length, notwithstanding his firmness, he was forced to acknowledge that pain overcame him.  With the burning chill of fever bubbling through his blood—­shivering yet scorching—­he complained of the shooting pain in his head, and a strange confusion of mind, which the poor girl, from some of his incoherent expressions,