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.

[image 5]

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,