Am I the first to wish you
joy, on this glad day?"
"The first," she said. "Even my good Deborah slept through my rising.
I woke at the accustomed hour, to ring the Convent bell, and found
myself Prioress no longer, but bride--an earthly bride--expected to
deck herself with jewels for an earthly bridal."
"'Even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight
of God of great price,'" quoted, the Bishop, a retrospective twinkle in
his eye.
"Alas, my lord, I fear that ornament was never mine."
"Yet you must wear it now, my daughter. I have heard it is an ornament
greatly admired by husbands."
Standing in the sunlight, all unconscious of her wondrous beauty, she
opened startled eyes on him; then dropped to her knees upon the turf.
"Your blessing, Reverend Father," she said, and there was a wild sob in
her voice. "Oh, I entreat your blessing, on this my bridal day!"
The Bishop laid his hands upon the bright coronet of her hair, and
blessed her with the threefold Aaronic blessing; then raised her, and
bade her walk with him across the turf.
Into the arbour he led her, beneath a cascade of fragrant yellow roses.
There, upon a rustic table was spread a dainty repast--new milk, fruit
freshly gathered, white rolls, and most golden pats of butter, the dew
of the dairy yet upon them.
"Come, my daughter," said Symon of Worcester, gaily. "We of the
Church, who know the value of these early hours, let us break our fast
together.
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