The tears had scarcely dried upon her cheeks; one perhaps still lingered in the midst of her smiles. Traces of tears indistinctly visible form a pleasing but sombre accompaniment of joy.
The Dean, standing near the table, placed his finger upon the open book, and asked in a distinct voice whether they knew of any impediment to their union.
There was no reply.
“Amen!” said the Dean.
Caudray and Déruchette advanced a step or two towards the table.
“Joseph Ebenezer Caudray, wilt thou have this woman to be thy wedded wife?”
Caudray replied “I will.”
The Dean continued:
“Durande Déruchette Lethierry, wilt thou have this man to be thy wedded husband?”
Déruchette, in an agony of soul, springing from her excess of happiness, murmured rather than uttered—