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 the fire, and a more merry explosion to the crackling spark that shoots among the feet of the company. The flutter that ensues creates livelier merriment, and the abashed and happy looks that reward the recapture of the ruddy fragment, endow that simple projectile with an inspiring potency that unseals the lips, and melts the feelings, and brushes away the last impediment between two hearts that longed for more avowed communion.

Before such cheerful hearth, when the clear red light of the well burned wood diffused its crimson brightness on every cheek, with a gentle signal Lady Judith smilingly tokened the affianced and happy parties to stand in the open hall before the mellow blaze.

Then Prokop arose before them, as each wedding pair assumed a separate place, and said, “These persons severally, Andreas and Ludmila, Nicolas and Agaphia, Sambor and Milada, propose before God, before each other, and this company to assume the state of marriage. Does any person present know any just reason why these persons should not be united severally in the good estate of matrimony? Again, a second time, is any such reason given? Again, a third time?”

There in that cheerful glow, where Lady Judith looked on the bright reflection from the happy faces before her, at her side the amused child now her chief consoler, Andreas Lord Drda and Ludmila, Nicolas Jaroslav and Agaphia Brszava, Sambor and Milada, severally pledged and plighted themselves;