The marriage hour struck at length. The last loitering guests heard it, and hurried down-stairs to the drawing-room which was already crowded. The bride and her maidens heard it, and began to smooth out the folds of their dresses, or touch the edges of their hair, and steal furtive glances at the mirrors to see that all was right before leaving the chamber and facing the hundreds of eyes in the drawing-room below. Punctually as the last stroke of twelve sounded, the bridegroom and his attendants came to the door. The procession was formed in the usual manner and passed down-stairs. Two gentlemen friends who took upon themselves the office of marshals, opened a way through the crowd for the bridal cortège to enter. On the rug stood the Rev. Dr. Barber, in his surplice, just as he had stood some six months before; but all the rest was changed now. That was a dark and stormy November night. This was a bright and beautiful May day. The bridal party, with due decorum, took their places before the officiating minister. There was no let or hindrance now. The face of the blooming bride was as clearly seen as that of the happy bridegroom. Both parties responded clearly and distinctly to the questions of the clergyman. General Lyon, with smiling lips, but moist eyes, gave the bride away. And the ceremony proceeded and ended amid the prayers and blessings of the whole company. Kisses and congratulations, tears and smiles followed and took up twice as much time as the preceding solemnity had. Then, at length the company, headed by the two marshals, marched off to the breakfast room. The ladies were handed to the table, and the gentlemen waited in duteous attendance behind them. And the feast began. These ladies did not care so much about the fish, flesh, or fowl, delicately dressed as these edibles might be. So they were left almost untouched, for the benefit of the gentlemen who might come after. But the beautiful pyramids of pound cake, the snowy alps of frosted cream, the glittering glaciers of quivering jelly, the icebergs of frozen custard, the temples of crystallized sweetmeats and groves of sugared fruits were quickly demolished. The bride’s cake was cut up and distributed; the piece containing the prophetic ring falling to the lot of Nanny Seymour. At the right moment the first groomsman arose and made a speech, which was heartily cheered, and proposed the health of— “The bride and bridegroom,” which was honored with bumpers of “CLIQUOT.” Then the bridegroom arose and returned thanks in another speech, which was also cheered; and he proposed the health of— “Our honored host and relative, the venerable General Lyon,” which was drank by all standing. Then the veteran got up and in a few earnest words expressed his appreciation of the compliment and his esteem for his guests, and then he gave somebody else’s health. Colonel Seymour arose and proposed the health of—