It was indeed a
rare instance of devotion and constancy in a man, and the young
widow gratefully appreciated it.
It was late in the evening when Jerome led his intended bride to
the window, and the magnificent moonlight illuminated the
countenance of the lovely Clotelle, while inward sunshine,
emanating from a mind at ease, and her own virtuous thoughts, gave
brightness to her eyes and made her appear a very angel. This was
the first evening that Jerome had been in her company since the
night when, to effect his escape from prison, she disguised herself
in male attire. How different the scene now. Free instead of
slaves, wealthy instead of poor, and on the eve of an event that
seemed likely to result in a life of happiness to both.
CHAPTER XXXIII
THE HAPPY DAY.
IT was a bright day in the latter part of October that Jerome and
Clotelle set out for the church, where the marriage ceremony was
to be performed. The clear, bracing air added buoyancy to every
movement, and the sun poured its brilliant rays through the
deeply-stained windows, as the happy couple entered the sanctuary,
followed by old Mr. Devenant, whose form, bowed down with age,
attracted almost as much attention from the assembly as did the
couple more particularly interested.
As the ceremonies were finished and the priest pronounced the
benediction on the newly-married pair, Clotelle whispered in the
ear of Jerome,--
"'No power in death shall tear our names apart,
As none in life could rend thee from my heart.
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