However, about nine o'clock, when the marriage-guests had well nigh
forgotten the marriage-pair, and were drinking or dancing along for
their own behoof; when poor mortals, in this sunshine of Fate, like
fishes in the sunshine of the sky, were leaping up from their wet
cold element; and when the bridegroom under the star of happiness and
love, casting like a comet its long train of radiance over all his
heaven, had in secret pressed to his joy-filled breast his bride and
his mother--then did he lock a slice of wedding-bread privily into a
press, in the old superstitious belief that this residue secured
continuance of bread for the whole marriage. As he returned, with
greater love for the sole partner of his life, she herself met him
with his mother, to deliver him in private the bridal-nightgown and
bridal-shirt, as is the ancient usage. Many a countenance grows pale
in violent emotions, even of joy. Thiennette's wax-face was bleaching
still whiter under the sunbeams of Happiness. O, never fall, thou lily
of Heaven, and may four springs instead of four seasons open and shut
thy flower-bells to the sun! All the arms of his soul, as he floated
on the sea of joy, were quivering to clasp the soft warm heart of his
beloved, to encircle it gently and fast, and draw it to his own.

He led her from the crowded dancing-room into the cool evening. Why
does the evening, does the night, put warmer love in our hearts? Is it
the nightly pressure of helplessness or is it the exalting separation
from the turmoil of life--that veiling of the world, in which for the
soul nothing more remains but souls;--is it therefore that the letters
in which the loved name stands written on our spirit appear, like
phosphorus-writing, by night, _in fire_, while by day in their
_cloudy_ traces they but smoke?

He walked with his bride into the Castle garden: she hastened quickly