Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 43.djvu/354

340 servant with low prostrations made known that the son of the prime minister of a neighboring prince had arrived. So soon as the handsome youth had dismounted, he was ceremoniously welcomed, and the cause of his visit inquired into. He answered that the fame of the young girl's beauty had reached his province, and he had hastened hither to ask for her hand in marriage. Greatly overjoyed, the proud father at once gave his consent, and ordered the attendants to summon his daughter; but the young knight interposed, saying that he must return without delay, and wished his bride to accompany him. With courteous mien he added that all necessary arrangements could be equally well carried out upon arriving at his father's house—such as the dower, wedding gifts, and everything relating to the marriage ceremony. No pomp or pageant would lack in fit magnificence by being postponed a little later, and the bride should be heralded by flowers, torches, and the marriage song; but their immediate departure was inevitable.

For a moment the lordly father was silent and embarrassed by doubts; but fearing that he might lose so brilliant a fortune for his only child, he gave his full consent. Within an hour the blushing girl, in bridal robes and splendid draperies, came through the outspread inner doors, and stood in all the "alarm of beauty and troubled pride," ready for the journey. Her waiting maids and servants, who were to accompany her, clustered around her, wondering whence sprang all this blaze of wealth in so short a space of time.

In a moment the kago (palanquin) for the bride was brought forth, and before she and her maids could realize the fact, the kago, the horsemen, and the courtly suite were in motion. This time the palanquins of the bride and retinue of women took the precedence and headed the rest, as with joyous music, and heralded by the blare of trumpets and roll of drums, the procession left the minister's door. It seemed not long before the bridal cavalcade drew up before a palatial building. The young groom sprang from his saddle, and, hastening to the kago of his bride, softly announced that this was his dwelling, and requested her to step out and enter the guest-chamber. She did so, while shadowy servitors bowed low within the halls as they entered. The bride said nothing, but opened her soft eyes half in fright, and then with wonder and admiration, at the beauty of the palace. Stately halls opened into still statelier chambers. Such unrivaled magnificence!—carved cedar, gold lacquer, and vessels of solid gold. In one fairy room, a mimic glade and shady forest with branching stems interlaced, recalled to her the woodland walks at home, while the very air seemed laden with the sweet odor of blossoms and wild flowers she used to gather.