“Then, Nadia,” said Michael, “I think that God, in allowing us to meet, and to go through so many severe trials together, must have meant us to be united forever.”
“Ah!” said Nadia, falling into Michael’s arms. Then turning towards Wassili Fedor, “My father,” said she, blushing.
“Nadia,” said Captain Fedor, “it will be my joy to call you both my children!”
The marriage ceremony took place in Irkutsk cathedral.
Jolivet and Blount very naturally assisted at this marriage, of which they wished to give an account to their readers.
“And doesn’t it make you wish to imitate them?” asked Alcide of his friend.
“Pooh!” said Blount. “Now if I had a cousin like you—”
“My cousin isn’t to be married!” answered Alcide, laughing.
“So much the better,” returned Blount, “for they speak of difficulties arising between London and Pekin. Have you no wish to go and see what is going on there?”
“By Jove, my dear Blount!” exclaimed Alcide Jolivet, “I was just going to make the same proposal to you.”