Mrs. Green, with Miss Churchill and Mrs. May, attended by her brother, left Heath Hall, and rode on to the point where three roads parted in company. Then Emily and her brother rode up to the carriage door and took leave. Augustus took Sophie’s hand in his own, their eyes met—their _souls_ met, in one intense and agonizing gaze, and parted. He left the neighborhood the next morning. CHAPTER X. AN UNEXPECTED EVENT. “Yet it may be more lofty courage dwells In one weak heart which braves an adverse fate, Than his whose ardent soul indignant swells, Warmed through the fight, or cheered through high debate.” MRS. NORTON. A wedding was Mrs. Gardiner Green’s delight. In Maryland and Virginia, a country wedding promises festivity for weeks to come. The marriage ceremony takes place at _night_, in the presence of the _élite_ of all the neighboring counties. Visitors from a distance remain all night. The breakfast next morning is a state affair; it is followed by a dinner-party and ball, given at the house of the bridegroom’s parents or that of some of his friends. Then the nearest relations give balls in succession; then the most intimate friends. Generally the bride and bridegroom, with their attendants, remain all night at the house where the dinner and the ball are given. Thus a marriage in high life in the country throws a quiet neighborhood into convulsions for weeks, making it resemble a city in the height of the “season.” It is a downright windfall to the young men and girls, and it is a country proverb that “One marriage makes many.” In the approaching marriage of Miss Churchill and Mr. Withers there was one serious drawback to the pleasant anticipations of the young men and maidens. The bridegroom was a clergyman; therefore there could be no balls, only the wedding and dinner parties. Mrs. Green was in her glory—her preparations for display were magnificent; the wedding dresses, confectionery, &c., had been ordered from Baltimore and were arrived. And Sophie, she was now quite resigned; she had been the guest of Mrs. Green since the day of the inquest. Mr. Withers had recovered his composure, and was with her, as usual, a part of every day. Sophie’s brain and heart were in an apathy. The only action of her mind was an indolent surprise at the indifference she felt for everything going on around her, the deadness of all sensibility, the stillness of her nerves; even the frigid and formal kiss of Withers imprinted on her hand at meeting, or at parting, no longer sent an ague thrill through all her veins—the contentment of despair had come.