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.
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