The Living Link: A Novel

by James De Mille

Edith tried to say “I will,” but only an unintelligible sound escaped her.

Then the clergyman went on, while the bridegroom repeated in a whisper these words:

“I, Leon, take thee, Edith, to my wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part, according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I plight thee my troth.”

The clergyman then said the words for Edith, but she could not repeat the formula after him. Here and there she uttered a word or two in a disjointed way, but that was all.

Then Edith felt her hand taken and a ring put on her finger.

Then the clergyman said the next formula, which the bridegroom repeated after him in a whisper as before:

“With this ring I thee wed, with my body I thee worship, and with all my worldly goods I thee endow,” etc., etc.

Then followed a prayer, after which the clergy man, joining their right hands together, said,

“Those whom God hath joined together, let no man put asunder.”

Then followed the remainder of the service, and at its conclusion the clergyman solemnly wished them every happiness.