before heard Stempenju's playing, Rochele who had heard before of
Stempenju, but who had never before heard such playing, stands and
listens to the enticing music, the rare sounds, and does not understand
what that all means. Something has touched her heart, a soft feeling has
passed over her, but she does not understand what that is. She lifts her
eyes to the place from which the sweet sounds proceed, and notices a
pair of very beautiful black eyes, fiery eyes that are looking straight
at her, and that transfix her like spears, like sharp spears. The
beautiful, black, fiery eyes look at her and beckon to her and speak to
her; Rochele wants to lower her eyes, and she cannot.
* * * * *
"Oh, that is Stempenju!"
So meditates Rochele the beautiful, as the Enthronement is ended, and
the parents of the contracting parties are getting ready to lead them
under the Baldachin.
* * * * *
"Where are the candles?" comes the question from the bridegroom's side.
"The candles, where are they?" comes the reply from the bride's side.
And thus the same noise begins as before. All are running, not knowing
whither. There is a jam, and they push each other, and step on people's
toes, and tear dresses; they perspire, they scold the ushers and the
beadles, and these again scold the parents of the marrying couple, and
the parents wrangle among themselves,--praised be the Lord, all is
lively!