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Rh able stores whatever articles were most becoming and most pleasing to the eye, such as constituted a grand bridal dress in those times. She then gave further orders to the milliner and haberdasher. Meanwhile, the bridegroom went to see the banns published; as in those good times rich and great people were not afraid of informing the whole world that they meant to contract the serious engagement of marriage. Before the close of the month, Frank led his long-loved Mela to the altar; and such was the grand solemnity and splendour of the whole ceremony, that it far outshone even the wedding of the rich brewer.

What a day of triumph for the bride’s mother, old Madame Brigitta! She saw her daughter united to a wealthy and excellent young gentleman, and enjoyed, during the evening of her life, that ease and affluence which she had so long sighed for. And Madame Brigitta, as she was henceforward called, likewise deserved her good fortune, at least at Frank’s hands, as she turned out, luckily for him, one of the least troublesome mothers-in-law that was ever known.