The priest nervously submitted.
'Now for the ring,' said the clerk. 'Put it on the book.'
Rebow was taken by surprise. 'By heaven!' he said, 'I forgot all about that.'
'You must have something to use for the purpose,' said the curate. 'Have you no ring of your own?'
'No. Am I like to have?'
'Then let her mother lend her her own marriage-ring.'
'She shall not,' said Rebow angrily. 'No, no! Glory's marriage with me is not a second-hand affair, and like that of such fools as she,' pointing to Mrs. Sharland. 'No, we shall use a ring such as has never been used before, because our union is unlike all other unions. Will this do?' He drew the link of an iron chain from his pocket.
'This is a link broke off my brother's fetters. I picked it up on the sea-wall this morning. Will it do?'
'It must do for want of a better,' said the curate.
Elijah threw it on the book; then placed it on Mehalah's finger, with a subdued laugh. 'Our bond, Glory,' he said, in a low tone, 'is not of gold, but of iron.'