“Orondo, beloved, I give to thee my only begotten, to be thine honor and thy wife; to keep thy keys and share with thee thy joys and sorrows.” “Let them be trampled upon and confounded who maliciously endeavor to create ill-will between us,” answered Orondo, loud enough to be heard throughout the temple. Rahula involuntarily gave Alcamayn an apprehensive glance. That young man stared straight ahead of him with blood-shot eyes and a dull, half-foolish expression. He did not seem to hear Imos, when he said: “By the power vested in me, I unite and bind thee, Orondo, and thee, Ildiko, one to the other. Live ye in peace.” Lifting their veil he anointed their foreheads and wrists with unguent. Then he carefully drew a gold thread from the bride’s mantle and another from the groom’s, and tied them together. He handed the knot to Ildiko, saying: “Be this always a sign of indissoluble union.” Picking up a sprig of ivy, Setos bound it across Orondo’s forehead, adding: “Be this a similar token unto thee.” Receiving a cup of mead from the hands of an assistant, he blessed it, drank of it, and passed the libation to the newly married couple. After Ildiko took a sip, she threw the cup on the floor, and as she did so every unmarried man in the temple followed her example by dashing into pieces a porcelain, glass or pottery vessel, as a signal of renunciation. The bridal party filed out of the temple to the music of harps and flutes. There was an eager wish to witness the leave-taking of the bride and bridegroom, who formally separated at the door and returned to their respective homes until nightfall. Then the bride would enter Iaqua in state, and the matrimonial coronation would take place. * * * * * “Impatience lends wings to my desire, Ildiko,” whispered Orondo. “I long for thee incessantly. Come quickly.” “Only this poor body is absent from thy side, Orondo. Thy wish is but an echo of my thought.” “From meridian to sunset is a lifetime in the history of love,” said Orondo, as he glanced at the unclouded sky overhead. “Oh, misery! that I must leave thee!” “Thou art a flattering and indulgent husband,” responded Ildiko, smiling up into his face affectionately. He stood uncovered, and waited for her to pass on; then he turned ever and anon on his way back to Iaqua, waving his hand to her, until Ildiko reached her father’s house. The lanterns, banners and flags flapped lazily in the breeze or sunned themselves listlessly. There was a grand naval demonstration on the bay, an exchange of shots by the mangonels in the forts, and a review of warriors on parade. The citizens young and old made various senseless noises in their exuberance of spirits, while the Chief Councilmen went into session immediately to await the announcement of the formal resignation of Yermah and the taking of the oath of office by Orondo.