The Buccaneer - A Tale

The clergyman commenced the service according to the form of the

Established Church, and concluded the opening address without any

interruption. He then proceeded to the solemn and beautiful appeal made

as to the liberty of those who present themselves at the altar.

"I require and charge you both, (as ye will answer at the

dreadful day of judgment, when the secrets of all hearts shall be

disclosed,) that if either of you know any impediment why ye may

not lawfully be joined together in matrimony, ye do now confess

it?"

At this point Sir Robert Cecil, his enfeebled mind still more relaxed

after the strong effort made at self-possession, and weakened and heated

by the wine he had taken, exclaimed,-"Those two joined together in matrimony! It is impossible--she has not

on a wedding-garment! What does she here?" Then looking round, he left

his daughter's side, and seizing Barbara's hand, dragged her to the

altar, saying, "This must be our bride--our lady bride--no one would wed

in sables."

It is impossible to describe the consternation which this circumstance

occasioned; but the baronet had hardly uttered the words, when the

window that Barbara had taken so much pains in adorning, was darkened by

a figure springing into and standing on the open casement, and the

shrill voice of the Jewess Zillah shouted, in a tone that was heard most

audibly over the murmurs of the little crowd, and echoed fearfully along

the chancel, "Justice--vengeance!" and, suiting the action to her words,

she discharged a pistol with but too steady an aim at the innocent

Barbara, whom on this occasion, as before, she had mistaken for her

rival, Constantia Cecil.