But
he gave them no direct expression; he intruded his secret
sadness, whatever it might be, on no one of his companions.
Nevertheless, modest and self-restrained as he was, there was
evidently some reproving or saddening influence in his presence
which affected the spirits of every one near him, and darkened
the eve of the wedding to bride and bridegroom alike.
As the sun slowly sank in the heavens, the conversation flagged
more and more. After a long silence, the bridegroom was the first
to start a new subject.
"Rose, love," he said, "that magnificent sunset is a good omen
for our marriage; it promises another lovely day to-morrow."
The bride laughed and blushed.
"Do you really believe in omens, Charles?" she said.
"My dear," interposed the old lady, before her son could answer,
"if Charles does believe in omens, it is nothing to laugh at. You
will soon know better, when you are his wife, than to confound
him, even in the slightest things, with the common herd of
people. All his convictions are well founded--so well, that if I
thought he really did believe in omens, I should most assuredly
make up my mind to believe in them too."
"I beg your pardon, madame," Rose began, tremulously, "I only
meant--"
"My dear child, have you so little knowledge of the world as to
suppose that I could be offended--"
"Let Rose speak," said the young man.
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