with the tarnish that better natures receive when they consent to dwell with inferior spirits, and breathe in an atmosphere loaded with earthly exhalations.  It would have been the highest delight of his life to have ascended with her into the pure regions, where thought builds tabernacles and establishes its dwelling-places.  To have walked onward, side by side, in a dear life companionship, towards the goal of eternal spiritual oneness.  But she had willed it otherwise; and now he had come, resolutely, to bear the pain of a final sundering of all bonds, that his soul might free itself from her soul completely and forever.

I first noticed him as the bridal party entered the room, and took their places in front of the clergyman who was to officiate on the occasion.  He occupied a position that gave him a clear view of Delia’s face, while he was removed from general observation.  Almost from the commencement to the ending of the ceremony his gaze rested on her countenance.  His head was thrown a little forward, his brows slightly contracted, his lips firmly set, and his eyes fixed as if the object upon which he was gazing held him by an irresistible fascination.  I was so much interested in him that I scarcely looked at the bride during the ceremony.  At last, the minister, in conclusion, announced the twain to be husband and wife.  I saw Wallingford give a slight start as if a tensely strung chord of feeling had been jarred.  A moment more and the spell was broken!  Every lineament of his countenance showed this.  The stern aspect gave way—­light trembled over the softening features—­the body stood more erect as if a great pressure had been removed.

I noticed that he did not hold back in the excitement of congratulation that followed the ceremony.  I was near him when he took the hand of Delia, and heard him say—­not—­“I congratulate you”—­but “May your life be a happy one.”  The tone was earnest and feeling, such as a brother might use to a beloved sister.  I held that tone long afterwards in my memory, studying its signification.  It had in it nothing of regret, or pain, or sadness, as if he were losing something, but simply expressed the regard and tender interest of a sincere well wisher.  And so that great trial was at an end for him.  He had struggled manfully with a great enemy to his peace, and this was his hour of triumph.

With the bride’s state of mind, as read in external signs, I was far from being satisfied.  Marriage, in any case, to one who thinks and feels, is a thing of serious import; and even the habitually thoughtless can hardly take its solemn vows upon their lips without falling into a sober mood.  We are, therefore, not surprised to see emotion put on signs of pain—­like April showers that weep away into sunshine.  But in Delia’s face I saw something that went deeper than all this.

“There is no one here,” said I, taking her hand, and holding it tightly in mine, “who wishes you well in the future more sincerely than I do.”