WEDDED!
"'My brave one; my brave one; art thou hurt?" were Volinè's first words
of greeting as we met in her prettily-arranged private room, adjoining
the arena where the King had sat to see the fight, and where I had been
conducted to her presence by the ever-faithful Irolne.
"'No, darling, 't is but a scratch,' I answered, as we kissed and
nestled into each other's arms. 'Volinè, no cloud may dim the lustre of
our happiness now. Surely, bride and groom ne'er had a future so bright
and fair as ours! We leave the long dark vale of sorrow behind us, and
stand at last upon the threshold of our perfect bliss.'
"'Harry, I cannot tell thee my happiness; made all the sweeter,
methinks, by the anguish my soul hath suffered since last we met. But
how proud I am of thee now thou hast vanquished Perodii, and before all
Edos freed my name from evil gossip; I would sooner thee have done this
thing than even my father.'
"'Ah, Volinè, I thought of you when the fight waxed hottest, and
that thought gave new strength to my arm when weakening by desperate
effort. But all is over, and all is well. Now, dear one, tell me of
to-day--when is our bridal feast to be?'
"'Echri and his fellow-Priests have already reached the Palace, and
all is in readiness to commence at setting of the sun; for that is the
hour we people of Edos assign unto this ceremony. But, Harry, what a
strange, strange wooing mine hath been, coloured more with sorrow than
with gladness; and even the early hours of my wedding-day have not been
free from strife.'
"'All has been as you say. But now perfect peace shall be my darling's
portion, and I will devote myself to smoothing her path across life's
stormy way. My arms shall ever be her refuge in sorrow, and her resting
place in joy.'
"'Always?'
"'Until life is done; for I love you with a passion that death can only
destroy.'
"'Oh, Harry, it is sweet to be loved like this. Do all the men of Ramos
love like thee? Methinks there are plenty of maidens in Edos who would
choose them a mate from thy world, rather than mine, if such be so.'
"'Well, darling, that there is love on Earth as sweet, and pure,
and true as ours I will not deny; but there is love that turns to
bitterness and hatred. There are men who betray, deceive, and wrong in
the sacred name of Love; there are men who make vows of affection and
constancy, only to break them.'
"'Ah! it is even so in Gathma, and many the maid of Edos that hath rued
her marriage-vows before she hath well become a wife.'
"'Does my Volinè doubt me--does a single misgiving haunt her heart, now
that she has given that heart to me?'
"'Not one; not one! My faith in thee is boundless. I have no thought
that thou may'st not share. Now let us return. Already the assembly
hath dispersed, and the day draws on. Besides, thou must feel faint and
weary, after thy fight.'
"'Never weary in your precious company, darling,' I answered, as we
rose and left the room. We strolled across the beautiful grounds
together, Volinè resting confidingly on my arm; and, as we walked
along, our happiness seemed too great to be true, for not a single care
pursued us.
"'Let us pass by Siccoth's arbour yet once again as lovers, Harry--the
place where we parted when sorrow overwhelmed us, and hope lay dead.'
"'Ah! Volinè, prospects are brighter now, indeed. See! the dear old
place is just the same--to me the sweetest spot in all wide Gathma; for
here our vows of love were pledged!'
"And as I spoke, the Palace bells rang out a loud and merry peal, like
an omen of good fortune to us.
"'List thee, Harry! My bridal bells! How strange that they should
commence whilst we are here! Oh! how their gladsome peals thrill
through and through my soul! My wedding day! So soon! Harry, do all the
men and women of thy world marry so quickly after betrothal as we?'
"'Not all, my darling, not all. Some tarry months, years; and some even
so long that they do not wed at all. But if any man could love as I
love, or had such a beautiful being for the object of his affections,
the time would be no longer than with us--especially when Fate smiles
so sweetly upon my suit as now,' I answered, kissing her upturned face.
"'Indeed, thou art a consummate flatterer! And yet doth it not seem
unmaidenly for me to yield so quickly and so readily to thy words of
love?'
"'Ah! no, dear one, I prize you all the more for not delaying my
happiness. Besides, it seems years and years since we first met, so
much having happened in the interval between then and now.'
"'Methinks thou hast made good use of thy time, if it hath been short!'
she answered, with an artless, bewitching smile.
"'But, Volinè, what is it that has drawn you to me? Surely there are
men in Gathma, in Edos, more handsome than I, who would sell their
souls for your smiles and favour?'
"'Thou knowest a woman little. It is not a handsome face altogether
that draws or fascinates her heart; but open, winning ways, sympathies,
and devoted love--love that her instincts tell her is true and
unselfish; these be the things that gain her favour,' she answered, as
we passed on towards the Palace, where we parted until such time as the
nuptial ceremonies commenced.
"Never before did time pass away so slowly as those few hours that
intervened between noon and sunset on this my wedding-day. Each moment
was flighted with lead, each hour seemed ages to me who impatiently
waited their course to run. All day long the Palace bells, at
intervals, rang out glad bridal tidings, and those of Edos echoed
back the stirring music. The city was _en fête_ to-day. The only
daughter of Gathma's King was beloved of the people, and each man and
woman of Edos, dames and nobles of high degree, strove hard to make
her bridal day replete with joy and happiness. The Palace swarmed
with guests. From near and far they made its stately halls their
rendez-vous or perfumes and fabrics of priceless worth--tributes of
respect and love to the daughter of their King. Then troop after troop
of soldiers entered the Palace gates, many dressed in uniforms and with
accoutrements entirely unknown to me--garrisons from far-off places,
summoned to do honour at the coming ceremony and feast."
[1] At last the sun proclaimed the advent of evening, from the
cloudless west, as he sank toward the mountain crests. All interest
now was centred within the magnificent Hall of Ceremonies, a vast
and lofty chamber in the western wing of the Palace. Here a great
throng of guests had assembled to witness the brilliant nuptials. No
word of ours can hope to describe the overwhelming splendours of that
wondrous Hall, as the last rays of the setting sun streamed through
the gorgeously-coloured windows, upon what was literally one blaze of
sparkling jewels. Not a guest was there who did not scintillate with
precious stones, cunningly arranged to harmonise with their rich and
many-coloured raiment. Then the delicate light-blue draperies, that
hung in graceful folds round the entrances, contrasted well with the
slender pillars of gold that shot upwards, fashioned like tree-trunks,
to support the roof. In niches round the walls were arranged groups
of statuary, all carved in the famous flesh-tinted marble, and on
the walls themselves were paintings of fair women and handsome men,
of strange landscapes, of fruits and flowers, of beasts and winged
creatures--all drawn with marvellous skill and exceeding beauty. Nearly
one quarter of this mighty Hall was still empty of people. The guests,
who must have numbered nearly a hundred thousand, were all seated; the
reserved space at the end of the Hall was for those engaged in the
nuptial ceremony.
As the sun finally sank behind the mountains, casting the draperies
of night o'er Edos, the great Hall suddenly became illumined with
brilliant light, and almost simultaneously a score of heralds marched
in and blew a lusty blast upon their trumpets of gold. At once a great
silence of expectation seized the gay and laughing guests, and, amidst
hushed excitement, all eyes were turned towards the grand entrance at
the end of the Hall. Shortly the enormous curtains were drawn aside,
and we could see the wide corridor behind them lined on either side
with Royal troops. Then regiment after regiment of soldiers came along,
with colours flying and bands playing triumphant music, each man taking
up his allotted station with marvellous precision, until the entire
space set apart for the coming ceremony was lined with treble rows of
troops, whose armour and trappings shone like silver and gold in the
brilliant light.
Scarcely had the soldiers taken up their position, when a long
procession of Virgins, a thousand strong, all clad in pure white
raiment, carrying flowers and branches of some tree emblematical of
Peace, came along, walking fourteen abreast. Nothing could exceed the
loveliness of this maiden throng, as they assembled in a grand galaxy
of beauty in front of the troops. Following the virgins came a hundred
Priests, dressed in black robes and scarlet sashes, bearing incense
and their long golden rods of office. After these came Holy Echri,
attended by four of his sacred brothers; then a high Minister of State,
bearing a cushion, on which were rolls of parchment, seals, and a
sword of gold; and then again another hundred Priests, clad in purple
robes and yellow sashes. Then came all the High Ministers of State,
and representatives of various cities round Edos, accompanied by their
attendants and guards of honour. Following these entered Doctor Hermann
and Sandy, escorted by a posse of guards attached to the Palace, under
the command of our old friend Kaosp, reinstated to rank but a few hours
before.
Directly after them came another band of music, playing a march of
exceeding beauty, heralding the approach of the bridegroom-elect,
supported by Temple. Graham's appearance sent a thrill of excitement
through the spectators, and many the fair lady in that brilliant throng
that envied Volinè her good fortune in mating with him. He looked
in the very prime of health and spirits, happy in the full pride of
his handsome manhood; and a mighty cheer broke simultaneously from
a hundred thousand people, who remembered his undying courage at
Remagaloth, and his matchless gallantry on the morning of that very day
in deadly conflict with Perodii.
The excitement caused by Graham's arrival had scarcely lulled when the
band of Court musicians entered, playing a triumphal air, followed
by seventy heralds and the body-guard of Royalty. After these came
twenty-five Princesses of Edos, the number being symbolical of the
age of the bride, each strewing flowers as they walked towards the
altar, where Echri and his four attendant Priests stood waiting. Then
excitement and enthusiasm reached their highest pitch as the dear old
white-haired King of Gathma appeared, with Volinè, his daughter, the
bride-elect, leaning upon his left arm, followed by her handmaidens
and another company of Royal troops. As the King and his daughter
entered, every one of that dense, joyous throng rose to their feet, and
deafening shouts of loyalty and welcome seemed as though they would
rend the Hall asunder.
The grandeur and brilliancy of the scene, now that the matchless
pageant was complete, beggar all description--the sparkling jewels,
the flashing arms and armour, the solemn-visaged Priests, the hosts
of white-decked virgins, the flower bearers, the musicians, the
soldiers in their many-hued uniforms, the white-bearded Ministers of
State, the handsome men and lovely women, the endless officials and
attendants--all assisting in making one gorgeous picture, one scene of
indescribable beauty, in which the fair and blushing bride shone forth
like a peerless pearl in all her maiden loveliness!
All eyes were fixed on Her. And in all truth she merited the universal
tribute of admiration so spontaneously showered upon her. Clothed in a
flowing robe of white and costly fabric, neither silk nor satin, yet
heavier and more beautiful than either, whose folds suggested, although
they covered, the matchless beauty of her faultless form, fastened
on the left shoulder, and studded across the open bosom with gems of
sparkling whiteness, and girdled round the waist with a broad scarf or
sash of the same colour. Embossed upon this costly robe were bunches
of flowers made of lustrous pale-pink gems. Upon her head was a diadem
of the same white fiery stones, and her wealth of hair hung down in
its heavy crimped coils of golden glory. Blushes suffused her cheeks
and contrasted well with her snowy brow, whilst her liquid violet eyes
shone with the passionate tenderness of a new-born subtle desire, as
her white bosoms rose and fell in responsive harmony to the great joy
surging and swelling within her heart! Her white shapely arms were bare
from the shoulder, and round each wrist was a broad bracelet of fine
gold, united by a slender chain of the same precious metal, which hung
down looped nearly to her feet. Every inch a peerless queen she looked
as she stood facing the altar, by her father's side, radiant with
happiness, proud in her conquest, and conscious of her victory, as only
a woman can be who weds the man of her choice for Love.
In a few moments the soul-inspiring music ceased, although its strains
were already drowned in the tumult to all but those standing near the
players. Then the heralds again blew blasts upon their trumpets, as a
signal for silence; and as the last echoes of their brazen call died
away, Echri stepped forward and said:
"Brethren, we are assembled here to celebrate one of the most solemn
rites of our Holy Church; ye to witness, and I to perform, the ceremony
of marriage between the beloved daughter of our temporal King, and a
man who hath journeyed hither from the star-world Earth, by us called
Ramos. God works His mighty will in divers ways; and in this union of
hearts to-day, we see the beginning of the union of worlds. God, in
wondrous apocalypse, hath promised this united Universe to His now
scattered people, and in His wisdom hath ordained that Ramos and Gathma
shall first be linked together in the chain that is to spread unbroken
round Creation. Throughout Gathma's long and glorious march through
time, no such union as we celebrate to-day hath ever been; it is an
epoch in our history, and is pregnant with importance to the peoples
that dwell on Ramos and on here. More than usual solemnity hath,
therefore, attached itself to this nuptial rite to-day; and it is my
holy duty to inspire thoughts among ye which, although unusual at such
ceremonies as these, are in full keeping with the one we now proceed to
celebrate."
"Echri's words produced a great effect, and the breathless silence was
even painfully intense when he ceased to speak. At this point the King
turned towards Echri, saying:
"It is scarcely meet of me to interrupt thy holy offices; but, as thou
hast well said, this ceremony stands in our annals alone; and that
being so, I command indulgence."
"Proceed, O King, for thy words are wisdom," Echri answered, with white
head bowed in loyal reverence.
"Echri, as thou knowest, during all the countless ages of our Royal
race, it hath been the unvarying custom for the sons and daughters of
our ancient and illustrious house to wed with those of high degree.
Our Princes have taken unto themselves Princesses to wife; and our
Princesses have had Princes found them for husbands. Our beloved
daughter shall not break this unchanging edict, for I now create her
spouse, this man from far-off Ramos, a Prince of our Royal race, and
instal him here and now with all the rights, privileges, and dignities
pertaining to such rank."
Then addressing Graham, who stood listening to the King's words in
bewilderment, he continued:
"Man of Ramos, by the ordeal of Fire, and by the right of conquest,
thou hast well merited the honour and the dignity I do now confer upon
thee. No longer art thou Harry Graham, of Earth or Ramos; henceforth,
as Prince Tihernah, of Edos, shalt thou be known," and taking the gold
sword from the Minister standing by, he presented it to Graham, with
the roll of parchment and the seals confirming the rank to which he had
just been exalted.
Graham's few stammering words of thanks were stopped by the King, who,
interrupting him, smilingly commanded the wedding service to proceed.
Once more did Echri step forward, and bade Volinè and Graham stand side
by side before him at the altar. Then, taking the slender chain of fine
gold which connected the bracelets on Volinè's wrists, he commanded
Graham to grasp it in his left hand and to break it asunder, saying as
he did so:
"The bondage of thy maidenhood this man hath broken; henceforward, in
thy state of wifehood, shalt thou only cleave to him, and him only, who
hath set thee free.
"Volinè, doth thou enter this state of thine own will, and prepared to
abide by the conditions and fulfil the duties of thy sacred office as
wife to him?"
"Even so, O Holy Father."
"Prince Tihernah, thou takest this maiden unto thee of thine own will,
and art thou prepared to abide by the conditions and fulfil the duties
of thy sacred office as husband to her?"
"Even so, O Holy Father."
Then Echri, taking Volinè's left hand, placed it in Graham's right, and
as they stood thus together, the two hundred Priests commenced to swing
their incense-pots, and to sing a solemn chant in sweet harmonious
voice. The singing and the incense-throwing having ceased, one of
the aged Priests attendant on Echri came forward and gave to him an
instrument, fashioned very like a lancet, but with a long carved handle
of solid gold, embossed with gems. Taking Volinè's right hand in his,
he pricked her arm below the elbow so that blood did flow, yet causing
her no apparent pain. Then taking Graham's left hand, he proceeded
to do the same unto him; and when the blood trickled down, he crossed
Volinè's arm and his, letting the two streams of blood intermingle in a
tiny crimson torrent.
"Blood is life; so therefore let the lives of this man and maid mingle
and fuse together that they do now and henceforward, until death,
be One. May the arrows of God's wrath o'ertake all they who seek by
temptation, force, or stealth, to break this bond asunder; and may His
holy blessing rest upon ye both, as well as upon the unborn posterity
within ye, for Man and Wife ye have now become!"
This was all. Yet the bridal ceremony was solemn and imposing to a
degree no man could conceive, who had not witnessed it.
As soon as all was over, the grand procession returned in the order
that it entered, with the exception that Volinè walked out blushing and
smiling, leaning on her husband's arm. Soon afterwards the assembly
dispersed themselves, and the grand bridal feast was served to a
thousand special guests.
The gay and festive scene at the bridal banquet was little less
imposing than the nuptial ceremony. The bride and bridegroom sat on the
King's right hand, at the head of the table, both looking supremely
happy, and both, if we mistake not, heartily wishing that the feast was
over, and they could enjoy their new-found bliss entirely by themselves.
The banquet over, Volinè and Harry had yet one more ordeal to pass, and
this was the grand procession of triumph in which they were conducted
to their own apartment--accompanied by the strains of music and the
voice of song; by white-robed virgins, emblematical of innocence;
by sad-faced Priests, and officers of State; by high-born dames and
nobles--all, according to ancient custom, bent upon seeing the last of
the beautiful bride and her handsome groom at their chamber's threshold.
Here we draw the veil before the consummation of highest human
happiness; for the tender, passionate secrets of the bridal chamber are
too sweet and too holy to be made privy of all men!
[Footnote 1: This portion of the narrative is in the handwriting of
John Temple.--ED.]