They all formed up before the house and marched off on foot, for the church was but one field away. Then the bridesmen took possession of Yagna. She walked on with delight, smiling through the tears which still trembled in her lashes. She now was gay to see as a spring-blossoming bush, and riveted every eye. Her hair, braided over her forehead, bore above it a rich pile of gold spangles, and peacock’s eyes, and sprigs of rosemary. Therefrom, down to her nape and shoulders, fell long ribbons of every hue; her white skirt was gathered at the waist in abundant folds; her corsage, of sky-blue velvet, was laced with silver; she wore great puffed sleeves to her chemise. Round her throat there was an abundant frill, embroidered with designs in dark-blue thread, and necklaces of coral and amber, row upon row, hung covering half her bosom. Matthias was being led by the bridesmaids. As the stalwart oak may be seen rising behind the graceful pine in the woods, so did he appear after Yagna’s figure. There was in his gait a certain jaunty swing, and he shot glances on either side of the road: he fancied he had beheld Antek in the ruck. Following him came Dominikova, with the “proposers,” the smith and his family, Yuzka, the miller’s and the organist’s people, and all the persons of any note. And following these came the whole village. The sun was now hanging above the woods, red, enormous, flooding all the road, and the pond, and the huts, with its blood-red glow. In the midst of this crimson conflagration they walked on slowly. It made the eyes blink to see them as they went—with ribbons and peacock plumes and flowers; gay in red trousers, petticoats of orange tints, rainbow kerchiefs, snowy capotes: just as if a whole field full of flowers in bloom had arisen and moved forward, swaying in the wind! Aye, and singing too! For again and again the high treble of the bridesmaids’ voices would strike up the ditty: On the clattering wagons go, And my heart is full of woe, Alas! Round you while our songs rise glad, You, O Yagna, you are sad, Alas! All the way, Dominikova was in tears, her eyes fixed upon Yagna alone. Ambrose was already lighting the tapers in church when they came. They formed in ranks—two and two—and proceeded toward the high altar, just as the priest was coming out of the sacristy. The wedding was soon over: his Reverence had to visit a sick man in haste. When they left the church, the organist played them out with Mazurs, Obertases, and Kuyavy dances, till their feet beat time of themselves; and more than one was on the point of singing aloud, but luckily remembered where he was. They returned pell-mell, and very noisily, for bridesmen and bridesmaids were singing together.