“An hour before the time that Thomas Wight told me was set apart for the strange couple to come to the chapel, I repaired thither and concealed myself behind the drapery of a curtain in the robing-room. It was nearly dark, but not so dark but that I could distinguish objects quite distinctly, and I had not been there long before a young man, of perhaps thirty years, quietly entered, and immediately proceeded to disguise himself with a white wig and a full, flowing white beard. I knew then, beyond a doubt, that a great wrong was contemplated, for the hair and beard was an exact counterpart of my own. He then approached my private closet, took down the robe and surplice, and was about to put them on, when I stepped forth from my hiding-place and addressed him thus: “‘Friend, what art thou about to do with these emblems of a sacred office? Those are holy vestures which none but a priest unto God has a right to wear.’ “The robe dropped from his nerveless hand upon the floor, and he turned a white, startled face to me. “‘Who are you?’ he at length demanded, with an effort to recover himself. “‘I am Bishop Grafton, and rector of St. John’s parish. Who are you?’ I asked mildly, in return. “‘It does not matter who I am,’ he muttered, angrily, and standing before me with an exceedingly crest-fallen air; and I proceeded with solemn gravity: “‘Friend, I learned this afternoon that a great wrong was to be committed here this evening, and I came here to stop it, if possible.’ “I spoke the words at a venture—and not so, either, for the man’s manner had convinced me of the fact already—and my words took immediate effect, for, with a muttered imprecation, he tore the wig and beard from his head and face and threw them also upon the floor beside the robe and surplice. “‘Friend,’ I then demanded, sternly, ‘are you a minister of Jesus Christ?’ “‘No,’ he muttered, with a vile oath. “‘Then you were about to personate a bishop of the church and commit sacrilege. I will relieve you from both the mockery and the sin. I will myself perform this marriage ceremony.’ “‘But——’ he began, in an excited manner. “‘You will please give me the names of the parties about to be united, and the _correct ones_,’ I interrupted, peremptorily. “He gave them, and, lighting a taper, I inserted them in the blanks of the certificate with which I had provided myself before leaving home. “‘Now you can go,’ I added, and pointed to the rear door, which led into the church-yard. “He hesitated, and began to stammer something about some one being very angry at the turn affairs were taking.