Ralph Moulton might have been wedded to a marble statue, for all the reply that could be gained from that calm, cold creature at his side.
He scowled angrily; he grasped the hand he held with such cruel force that at any other time she would have fainted with the pain.
All to no purpose, however, for not a muscle moved, not a sound or motion escaped her, that could be construed into a token of either assent or refusal.
Again the voice of the priest rang out; this time full and clear, almost with a note of warning in its tones——
“Does any one here present know any reason why the banns of matrimony should not be sealed between these two? If so, in the name of Heaven I command you, speak.”
It was an awful moment!
The clergyman raised his clear eyes with an air of almost inspired authority, and scanned every face before him. But not a glance answered his, every orb drooped before his earnest, thrilling gaze, and every face wore a look of conscious guilt.
Each and every one realized the sacrilegiousness of the act, and those who would have answered that solemn appeal dared not; and in that breathless, voiceless silence the fatal, mocking words were spoken, the holy man himself shuddering as he uttered them.
“I pronounce you husband and wife; and what God has joined together let not man put asunder!”
A startling, piercing, horrible shriek instantly followed, and that white-robed form dropped senseless at Ralph Moulton’s feet.