“No, I will not give you my wife!” fiercely retorted the bridegroom.
But at this moment the two sturdy Maryland farmers came up on either side of the man, and, each taking a firm grip of his arms, with gentle strength, released the half-swooning bride, who immediately dropped upon the bosom of her father.
“I shall hold every man here to a strict account for this outrage!” fiercely hissed the furious bridegroom.
“Quite right, sir! We will be at your service at any time,” said William Elk.
Abel Force bore his unfortunate daughter off to the side pews, where her mother, her sisters and her governess had retreated, and where they sat, confounded and overwhelmed by all that had passed.
“Take her, Elfrida,” he said, lifting the girl and laying her in the arms of her mother. “And do not allow that man to come near her. He has behaved badly in not giving her up, on my demand, until we can inquire into this matter. It may be that this strange woman is a lunatic, or an impostor. We shall see.”
Mrs. Force made no reply. She could not speak. She took her daughter on her lap, as if Odalite had been a young child, and laid the pale cheek of the girl on her bosom, and motioned her husband to return to the group around the bridegroom.
“Odalite, darling, do not grieve. No wrong of any sort shall be done you. You have your father and your mother, dear, and our faithful love shall never leave you,” said Abel Force, as he stooped and kissed his daughter’s pale forehead, and walked away.
But Odalite made no sign.
“And you have us, darling, darling sister,” said Elva, taking up and kissing one cold hand.