Page:The Castle of Wolfenbach - Parsons - 1854.djvu/392

 The conversation for the remainder of the day was occupied by the subject of the discovery, and with a recital of Mary's adventure. It was determined, that on the morrow the marriage of the Earl should be concluded.

On this happy discovery, the Earl ordered the gates of the castle to be thrown open; mirth and festivity resounded through the walls, and the evening closed in universal rejoicings.

On the following morn, the chapel of the castle was decorated for the marriage of the Earl; who, with Laura, came attended by Philip, now Baron Malcolm, by Mary, and the whole family. When they approached the altar, the Earl addressing-himself to his bride,—"Now, my Laura," said he, "we may celebrate those nuptials which have twice been so painfully interrupted, and which are to crown me with felicity. This day shall unite our families in a double marriage, and reward the worth of my friend. It is now seen, that those virtues which stimulated him to prosecute for another the cause of justice, mysteriously urged him to the recovery of his rights. Virtue may for a time be pursued by misfortune,—and justice be obscured by the transient triumphs of vice,—but the power whose peculiar attributes they are, clears away the clouds of error, and even in this world establishes his ."

The earl stepped forward, and joining the hands of Philip and Mary,—"Surely," said he, "this is a moment of perfect happinesss!—I can now reward those virtues which I have ever loved; and those services to which every gift must be inadequate, but this I now bestow."