Page:Popular stories of The spectre bridegroom and The mason of Granada.pdf (NLS104186075).pdf/11

 guest. All were seated at table, and just on the point of commencing, when the sound of a horn from without the gate gave notice of the approach of a stranger. Another long blast filled the old eourtscourts [sic] of the castle with its echoes, and was answered by the warder from the walls. The baron hastened to receive his future son-in-law.

The drawbridge had been let down, and the stranger was before the gate. He was a tall, gallant cavalier, mounted on a black steed. His countcnancccountenance [sic] was pale, but he had a beaming, romantic cyeeye [sic], and an air of stately melancholy. The baron was a little mortified that he should have come in this simple, solitary style. His dignity for a moment was ruffled, and hche [sic] felt disposed to consider it a want of proper respect for the important occasion, and the important family with which he was to be connected. He pacified himself, however, with thcthe [sic] conclusion, that it must have been youthful impatience which had induced him thus to spur on sooner than his attendants.

"I am sorry," said the stranger, "to break in upon you thus unseasonably"

Here the baron interrupted him with a world of compliments and greetings, for, to tell the truth, he prided himself upon his courtesy and eloquence. The stranger attcmptedattempted [sic], once or twice, to stem the torrent of words, but in vain; so he bowed his head, and snfferedsuffered [sic] it to flow on. By the time the baron had come to a pause, they had reachcdreached [sic] the inner court of the castle; and the stranger was again abont to speak. when he was once more interruptcdinterrupted [sic] by the appearance of the female part of the family, leading forth the shrinking and blushing bride. He gazed on her for a moment as one entranced; it seemed as if his whole soul beamed forth in the gazcgaze [sic], and rested upon that lovely form. One of the maiden aunts whispercdwhispered [sic] something in her ear; she made an effort to speak; her moist blue eye was timidly raised; gave