I observed a great change in Gabrielle's manner, after hearing this, toward her admirer--for so he must be termed--as admiration was so evident in each word and look: by-and-by Gabrielle went out alone--there was no one to question or rebuke her; and in six weeks from the day that Mr. Thomas Erminstoun first saw her she became his wife. Yes, startling as it appears, it all seemed very natural and simple of accomplishment then; early one brilliant summer morning, Gabrielle woke me, and bade me rise directly, as she wished to confide something of great importance, which was about to take place in a few hours. Pale, but composed, she proceeded to array herself and me in plain white robes, and straw bonnets; new and purely white, yet perfectly simple and inexpensive, though far better than the habiliments we had been accustomed to wear. Gabrielle took them from a box, which must have come when I was sleeping; and when our toilet was completed, I compared her in my own mind to one of those young maidens whom I had seen in the church, when bands of fair creatures were assembled for confirmation. She looked not like _a bride_--there was no blushing, no trembling; but a calm self-possession, and determination of purpose, which awed me. "My wise little sister Ruth," she said, "I am going to be married this morning to Mr. Thomas Erminstoun, at ---- church. You are my bridemaid, and the clerk gives me away. I shall not come back here any more, for a chaise and four waits in Yarrow Wood to convey us away directly after our marriage. You will come home, darling, and take off your marriage apparel to appear before _him_; and as I do not often dine with him, and he never asks for me, I shall not be missed. So say nothing--Nelly's tongue is tied--fear not her. Be patient, beloved one, till you hear from me: bright days are coming, Ruth, and we do not part for long." Here she wept, oh, so bitterly, I thought she would die. Amazed and trembling, I ventured to ask if she loved Mr. Thomas Erminstoun better than me, for jealousy rankled, and at fourteen I knew nothing of _love_. "Love _him_!" she cried vehemently, clasping her hands wildly; "I love only you on earth, my Ruth, my sister. He is a fool; and I marry him to save you and myself from degradation and misery. He buys me with his wealth. I am little more than sixteen"--she hung down her lovely head, poor thing--"but I am old in sorrow; I am hardened in sin, for I am about to commit a great sin. I vow to love, where I despise; to obey, when I mean to rule; and to honor, when I hold the imbecile youth in utter contempt!"