the birds under the free sky?




CHAPTER VI.

WEDLOCK.

They were married that very day. Abby begged piteously for a little
delay, that she might make clothes, and give her pretty pet a "good
send-off;" but De Arthenay would not hear of it. Mary was his wife in
the sight of God; let her become so in the sight of man! So a white
gown was found and put on the little passive creature, and good Abby,
crying with excitement, twined some flowers in the soft dark hair, and
thought that even Sister Lizzie, in her blue silk dress and chip
bonnet, had not made so lovely a bride as this stranger, this wandering
child from no one knew where. The wedding took place in Abby's parlor,
with only Abby herself and a single neighbour for witnesses. A little
crowd gathered round the door, however, to see how Jacques De Arthenay
looked when he'd made a fool of himself, as they expressed it. They
were in a merry mood, the friendly neighbours, and had sundry jests
ready to crack upon the bridegroom when he should appear; but when he
finally stood in the doorway, with the little pale bride on his arm, it
became apparent that jests were not in order. People calc'lated that
Jacques was in one of his moods, and was best not to be spoke with just
that moment; besides, 't was no time for them to be l'iterin' round
staring, with all there was to be done. So the crowd melted away, and
only Abby followed the new-married couple to their own home. She,
walking behind in much perturbation of spirit, noticed that on the