Anon the gentleman would offer some polite attention to his
companion, but without the exchange of a syllable; and, indeed,
words could hardly have been heard at the rate they were driving
through the dark, on account of the loud noise of the wheels and
horses' feet among the stones and uneven soil of the rising ground.
On rolled the vehicle with the speed of the wind--every one knows
how Florentine horses can go when they have a mind to-until at
length it pulled up at a highland roadside inn of most uninviting
character. The lady was immediately assisted in silence from the
vehicle, and scarcely had they entered the low, dark parlor of the
inn before the gentleman whispered to her:

"The priest is here, and will unite us immediately."

"But why this haste, dear Carlton?" said Florinda, for it was her.

"There is no time to lose," was the whispered response.

"But should not--"

"Hush, Florinda!"

"But Carlton--"

"He is here," was the whispered interruption.

And in a moment more a priest made his appearance, and, without
giving either time to unrobe themselves, had they been so inclined,
commenced the marriage service. The ring was given in that dark
room-so dark that the features even of the minister of the church