CHAPTER XI. A HURRIED MARRIAGE.

Te Aroha News, Volume III, Issue 135, 2 January 1886, Page 5

CHAPTER XI. A HURRIED MARRIAGE.

After a dinner touched by no one except the general, who, suddenly awakened, and made to thrust himself into uniform, was vainly endeavouring to restore order to the chaos of \m ideas by the U3e of his knife and fork, thePajarofs' guestsassembled in the drawing-room. Eugenie, still wearing her white' dress, which, it is true, was rather crumpled, had allowed her old friend to put her own diamonds round her neck and in her eara. •* I shall never wear them again," said the old lady* V I am too old, and I have no children ; wear them for my sake, darling " A tulle veil had been found in some mysterious drawer, possibly the same which had adorned the head of Pelagie's former dairymaid, and some real orange bloesom and foliage, hastily gathered in the orangery, formed a picturesque wreath, a thousand times more elegant than the usual artificial semblance. The bride had been crying, and her eyes were red— but does not every bride cry ? The bridegroom looked very pale but determined. If his mother-in-law had attempted to stop the marriage, he would probably have thrown her out of the window, and only regretted that the fall from the ground floor was too slight to do her much harm. The carriages rolled up to the door ; the terrified general rushed out, convinced himself that it was not Madame Berlaguine, and helped every one in. The church was lighted, the choir did wonders, the bride advanced, led by Malissof, who laid her hand in that of the bridegroom. With him she went up to the altar, his already, for he who had just handed her over had given up his claims for ever. Daring the ceremony, the doors several times slammed noisily, and all heads turned ; instantly towards the dim end of the little church ; it was, however, only a false alarm. Madame PajaroFs emotion caused her to keep pinching Malissof's arm, which was black and blue for several weeks after ; at length, when the bride and bridegroom, wearing the gilt crowns, had made the circait of the sacred desk, she relaxed her grip, much to Malissof's relief. •• Now, let her come if she likes," observed the good lady half aloud, "the knot is irrevocably tied !" The ceremony came quietly to an end ; the names ot the bride and bridegroom were entered in the register, and the usual greetings exchanged, and they all returned to the carriages. Custom demands that the happy pair pbould drive off at full speed, and arrive first at the house, where the relation who is to welcome them stands in waiting. Fearing lest they should meet Madame Berlaguine, Malissof had accompanied Madame Pajarof, and the two received the couple, and offered the bread and salt. Champagne was brought ; but just as the general was raising the glass to his lips, Pelagie's voice was heard crying, "Is the wedding quite dyer? And without me 7" The door was thrown open, and Madame Berlaguine stood theie, casting a wrathful glance around, till, catching eight of her daughter attired in white, she rushed upon her with such impetuosity as to upset the little servant who had just brought in the tray with the wine, dashing him against a chair, and smashing both bottles and glasses. Markof darted in front of his wife, shielding her with his body. " You shall not strike her again, madame. I have just obtained the right to protect her, even from your violence." " Wretch !" cried the mother in-law ; ** you have robbed me of my daughter !" "Excuse me, madame," said Malissof, advancing; '' you gave her to me, but as Monsieur Markof was worthier than myself — " Madame Berlaguine wrung her hands in impotent rage, ehrieked, and went into violent hysterics. A genuine fit of hysterics is valuable in its effects, since it exhausts the whole frame and forces a reconcilation. After shrieking a great deal, and beating both her son-in-law and the general, who tried to be of assistance, the unfortunate mother at length softened under the influence of a bottle of water, every drop of which Madame Pajarof emptied on her face. Tears came, followed by the expected reconcilation. Pelagie's real feeling was one ot delight, for Malissof was now free, and she aeked at once for more champagne " We have not tasted it," said she, " and we must drink the health of the young couple. What a pity that Madame Berlaguine should have upset the first supply !" added she, gazing regretfully at the shattered fragments. " 4.11 the better," returned Madame Pajarof, " for broken glass brings good luck."