The ceremony was performed. Gerald placed the ring on Emilia's finger. She caught her breath, and pressed her bosom with her right hand, holding out her left.
"Be brave!" whispered Gerald. "My dear wife!"
The light had come: It shone in her eyes, in her face, it irradiated her whole form. For the second time she lowered her head, and kissed the hand of her faithful lover.
In a sequestered spot, at some distance from the registry office, two carriages were waiting, one for Emilia and her husband, one for Leonard. There had been a brief parting between Emilia and the wagoner and his good wife, who had kissed her and bade her farewell. Then came Gerald's parting from those friends and from the doctor. He left with that worthy man two checks, the first being for the exact amount of the doctor's account, calculated at half-a-crown a visit--he would accept no more--the second for a substantial amount, to be given to the wagoner when the newly-married couple had departed.
"You will join us at Interlaken to-day fortnight," said Gerald aside to Leonard.
"Depend upon me," said Leonard; and so for that brief space they parted from each other.
"My wife!" said Gerald, as they rode away in the bridal carriage, "my darling wife!"
She lay in his arms, quiet and happy. Heaven's light was never sweeter than that which shone within her wakened soul.