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."

· · · · · · ·

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