“Blessed indeed is he!” responded Orondo’s escort.
“Haille! Haille! Haille!” they shouted together.
Then the same formula was repeated.
The first greeting and exchange brought Ildiko to the door. She glanced about her half-fearfully, and seemed in need of Yermah’s supporting arm.
In addition to the yellow robe already described, she wore a mantle of yellow brocaded with silver and gold, which swept the ground far behind her.
For the last time in her life would she be permitted to wear her hair flowing, and its gold band, an exact duplicate of the one Orondo wore, was the only ornament, save a crown of white lilies, attesting her purity of heart. Strand after strand of pearls wound around her neck; bangles and bracelets dangled at her slender wrists; but her small white hands were uncovered, and her fingers were unadorned.
Yermah wore pale blue cloth embroidered with silver stars and bands, and a blue cap, with silver ornaments and white plumes. His mantle was of plain white silk. From his left arm swung a large reticule of silver cloth crusted with turquoise, containing the yellow gauze wedding-veil.
Supporting the train of the bride’s mantle came Rahula, in a purple robe, elaborately worked with a pattern of leaves in pale metallic green, outlined in delicately frosted silver. The jacket was lined with green, and the undervest was a mass of silver and jewels.
Beside her was Alcyesta, in a lavender robe. Iridescent bead embroideries set with amethysts, and copper ornaments in quaint symbolic design, such as the Monbas were wont to employ, made a pleasing contrast to the rows of vestals and priestesses in pure white.
Two fierce-looking fencers led the way, followed by hundreds of children, who scattered roses along the pathway, or accepted some of the nuts and small cakes given out by the bride’s orders on all the thoroughfares.