“At that moment the moon, that had so faintly lit the chapel, sunk behind a cloud, and every thing was enveloped in darkness so profound, that Isidora did not recognize the figure of Melmoth till her hand was clasped in his, and his voice whispered, “He is here--ready to unite us.” The long-protracted terrors of this bridal left her not a breath to utter a word withal, and she leaned on the arm that she felt, not in confidence, but for support. The place, the hour, the objects, all were hid in darkness. She heard a faint rustling as of the approach of another person,--she tried to catch certain words, but she knew not what they were,--she attempted also to speak, but she knew not what she said. All was mist and darkness with her,--she knew not what was muttered,--she felt not that the hand of Melmoth grasped hers,--but she felt that the hand that united them, and clasped their palms within his own, was as _cold as that of death_. CHAPTER XXV. Τηλε μ’ ειργουσι ψυχαι, ειδωλα καμοντων. HOMER. “We have now to retrace a short period of our narrative to the night on which Don Francisco di Aliaga, the father of Isidora, “fortuned,” as he termed it, to be among the company whose conversation had produced so extraordinary an effect on him. “He was journeying homewards, full of the contemplation of his wealth,--the certainty of having attained complete security against the evils that harass life,--and being able to set at defiance all external causes of infelicity. He felt like a man “at ease in his possessions,”--and he felt also a grave and placid satisfaction at the thought of meeting a family who looked up to him with profound respect as the author of their fortunes,--of walking in his own house, amid bowing domestics and obsequious relatives, with the same slow authoritative step with which he paced the mart among wealthy merchants, and saw the wealthiest bow as he approached,--and when he had passed, point out the man of whose grave salute they were proud, and whisper, That is Aliaga the rich.--So thinking and feeling, as most prosperous men do, with an honest pride in their worldly success,--an exaggerated expectation of the homage of society,--(which they often find frustrated by its contempt),--and an ultimate reliance on the respect and devotion of their family whom they have enriched, making them ample amends for the slights they may be exposed to where their wealth is unknown, and their newly assumed consequence unappreciated,--or if appreciated, not valued:--So thinking and feeling, Don Francisco journeyed homeward.