The stately mansion of Barzello was brilliantly illuminated. Streams of
light poured forth from every window. Sweet melody floated on the wings
of the gentle zephyrs. Chariot after chariot arrived, and halted before
the massive portals. It was evident to the passer-by that it was not an
event of common occurrence that called forth such unusual movements and
peculiar displays.
From the first moment of Mathias and Perreeza’s introduction to each
other, there was a warm attachment formed, and from the subsequent
revelations, this sentiment greatly increased.
On this night the maid of Judah was to become the happy bride of
Mathias; and from the smiles that greet smiles on the happy
countenances of those who hurry to and fro through the richly furnished
apartments, it is evident that their union is hailed as a joyous event.
The marriage was not, in all its parts, so strictly after the customs
of the Hebrews as if it had been solemnized in the land of Judah. The
long residence of Joram in Babylon, together with the very high regard
he cherished for his friend Barzello and his family, gave the features
of the occasion an admixture of Hebrew and Chaldean customs.
Never did the “Rose of Sharon” bloom fairer. Three years have added
ripeness to her beauty, and dignity to her charms. She is no longer the
timid maid of seventeen, but a blooming damsel, having reached her
twentieth year, with a finish stamped on all her words and actions; and
no one who has had the pleasure of her acquaintance can envy such a
choice spirit the heart and hand of one of the most brilliant young men
in the great metropolis.
The “Lily of the Valley” has but one thing to diminish her full share
of enjoyment—and that is by no means a trifling one. Her sweet
Perreeza, her constant companion for the last three years, whom she
loves as her own sister, is about to leave her father’s house and take
her abode with another. This, at times, makes her sad. The same cause
produces the same effect on Perreeza. She, also, is about to impress
the parting kiss on the fair cheek of one who has proved herself worthy
of her ardent love—one who gave her such a warm welcome to her large
heart, when a stranger in a foreign land—one who has continued to love
her with a pure affection. But these gloomy feelings are not to
predominate at this time; so the “Lily” ceased to droop, and the “Rose”
bloomed fresh and gay.
The announcement that Mathias, with his attendants, had arrived at the
entrance, caused an exclamation of joy. Jupheena and a merry group of
her maiden acquaintances formed themselves in procession, to meet them,
and to escort the company, with warm congratulations, to the parlors,
where they were received by Barzello with enthusiastic welcome, and
conducted with appropriate honors to their apartments.
The ceremony was performed in a spacious room, extending throughout the
length of the grand edifice. The services were conducted by a Hebrew
priest, who was brought to Babylon with other captives at the close of
Jeconiah’s reign of three months.
In entering the wedding apartment, one part of the company appeared at
one end, while the rest at the same time appeared at the other end.
Thus Mathias, with a band of young men, and Perreeza, with a group of
damsels, slowly marched, met, and formed into a circle in the center of
the room, the officiating priest, with a small altar, in the midst.
“Ye who are to take upon you the holy and solemn vows of matrimony,
draw nigh,” said the priest.
Without delay, the loving twain left the circle, and stood side by side
before the sacred altar, when the priest, after a brief marriage
ceremony, gave them this blessing: “God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob,
keep, bless, and preserve you, and so fill you with all benediction and
grace, that ye may walk before Him in the beauty of true perfection and
holiness. Perreeza, daughter of Amonober, of the royal line of Judah,
behold thy husband! Mathias, son of the illustrious Joram, behold thy
wife! Take her as thine own, and convey her to thine own habitation,
and there make merry with thy numerous friends.”
At the house of Joram, preparations on a magnificent scale were made
for the return of the bridegroom with his bride. A large number of the
flower of the young men and maidens of Babylon were assembled, to
congratulate the young pair on their happy union.
The bridegroom and bride led the train. They were seated in a superb
chariot, drawn by two spirited, snow-white steeds. The next was that of
Barzello, containing himself and daughter, while a merry company
brought up the rear. Nothing could have exceeded the beauty and
brilliancy of the occasion. A flashing light from a hundred flaming
torches completely banished the gloom of night, while hundreds of
delighted spectators made the welkin ring with cheers. They soon
reached the wide portals of Joram’s mansion. The charioteers alighted.
The bridegroom and bride first entered, the guests following in regular
order. “They that were ready entered with him into the marriage, and
the door was shut.”
[Illustration: The bridegroom and bride led the train]
The celebration was over. The company had retired. Quietude was
restored. The Joram family, with one additional gem, was once more left
to the peacefulness of its own mansion. They were all quietly seated.
Joram arose, and slowly approached the old harp, the friend of his
early days, and inspected it with fondness, while the thoughts of other
years fast crowded upon his memory.
“My dear father, and my dear Uncle Esrom!” said Perreeza, smiling, “now
that they are all gone, let us have one dear little song from _thee._”
“Ah, precious child!” said Esrom, at the same time brushing away a
fugitive tear, “I play so seldom nowadays, I fear I would not appear to
very good advantage among such fine performers.”
“Nay, father! but thy playing is far superior to our best
performances.”
“Well, Perreeza, I will try; but I fear my song will make thee sad.”
“Sadness at times, dear father, is far more profitable to the mind than
hilarity.”
“True, my daughter! True! We both know it by experience.”
The Hebrew took the harp, and, in tones peculiar for their sweetness,
sang a plaintive melody.