A Daughter of Fife

And Mary Campbell was right; for if love is to have anything like the

place in real life, that it has in poetry--if we have any faith in that

mighty ruler of hearts and lives, a genuine love affair, we ought not to

dim the glory of marriage by denying it this sojourn in a veritable land

of enchantment; for in its atmosphere many fine feelings blossom, that

never would have birth at all, if the niceties and delicacies of courtship

were superseded by the levelling rapidity of marriage. There is time for

writing and reading love letters, and both tongue and pen get familiar

with affectionate and noble sentiments. We may admit that love-making is

an unreasonable and impracticable piece of business; but in this very

circumstance all its charm lies. Love delights in asserting the

incredible, and in believing the impossible. But it is precisely in the

depths of this delicious foolishness that the heart attains its noblest

growth.

There may be many grander hopes, many calmer and more reasonable

joys in store for us, but, "There's nothing half so sweet in life

As Love's young dream."

At length the wonderful day arrived. It had been well prepared for, and

all was in readiness. There was no hurry, no fret, no uncertainty. Early

in the morning men began to hang the old battle flags and armor of the

Campbells of Drumloch and to adorn the rooms with myrtle and fresh

flowers. It was not the fashion then to turn the house into a

conservatory, but the effect of the scattered groups of flowers, and

bridal wreaths, was far more festal in character.

At four o'clock the party were all assembled, and in response to some

understood signal, the clergy grouped themselves at one end of the large

parlors. Then Allan entered at the other. With him was a minister in silk

cassock and white lawn bands. It was Dr. Balmuto. Maggie followed, leaning

upon John Campbell's arm. An involuntary stir, a murmur of admiration,

greeted her. She was dressed in a robe of ivory-tinted silk, interwoven

with threads of pure silver. Exquisite lace veiled her throat and arms;

opals and diamonds glowed and glinted among it. Her fine hair was

beautifully arranged, and in her hand she carried the small Testament upon

which she would seal her vows.

Even David Promoter responded in some measure to the influence of the

hour. Not often did he permit himself to lose sight of the great object of

his existence; but this was an "occasion," when he felt that he might

lawfully put his sister, and his natural interest in her, before other

hopes and aims. And this day, he was really proud of Maggie. She had done

well unto herself; she had justified all his own intentions toward her;

she had allied him with one of the best families in the west of Scotland.

He kissed her with a tender approval, and reminded her, as it was indeed

his duty, how good God had been to her, and how, He had brought her also,

unto her "desired haven."