This was immediately acquiesced in; but at Hugh's suggestion a car was
prepared, a horse yoked in a few minutes, and Felix, accompanied and
supported by his brother and sister, set out for Mass. On arriving at
the "green," he felt that his short journey had not been beneficial to
him; on the contrary, he was worse, and very properly declined to go
into the heated atmosphere of the chapel. A message by his sister soon
brought the blushing, trembling, serious, yet happy-looking girl to
his side. Her neat white dress, put on with that natural taste which
is generally accompanied by as clear sense of moral propriety, and her
plain cottage bonnet, bought for the occasion, showed that she came
prepared, not beyond, but to the utmost reach of her humble means. And
this she did more for Felix's sake than her own, for she resolved that
her appearance should not, if possible, jar upon the feelings of one
who, she knew, in marrying her, had sacrificed prospects of wealth and
worldly happiness for her sake. At sight of her, Felix smiled, but it
was observed that his face, which had a moment before been pale, was
instantly flushed, and his eye unusually bright. When he had kissed her,
she replied to the friendly greetings of his brother and Maura with the
most comely dignity, well suited to her situation and circumstances.
Then turning to the elected husband of her heart, she said--

"Why thin, Felix, but it's little credit you do me this happy morning,
coming with your night-cap on, as if you weren't well;" but as she saw
the smile fade from his lips, and the color from his cheek, her heart
sank, and "pallid as death's dedicated bride," with her soft blue eyes
bent upon his changing color and bandaged head, she exclaimed, "God be
merciful to us! Felix dear, you are ill--you are hurted! Felix, Felix
darling, what ails you? What is wrong?"

"Don't be frightened, jewel," he replied, "Don't, darling--it won't