The six sisters of the valleys : an historical romance - University Library

322 THE SIX SISTEKS OF THE VALLEYS.
replied the Archbishop ; "now, daughter,
are you ready?"
"Oh. is there no help!" exclaimed
Ardoine, whom despair had rendered almost
passive; "oh, my mother! mother, would
that your daughter lay beside you ! Lord,
who didst divide the Ked Sea of old, and
saved the three children in the midst of the
fiery flames, is thy hand shortened now
that it cannot save ?"
The Archbishop turned his face to the
east; and, after bowing to the altar, pro-
ceeded with the opening passage of the
Marriage Service. Pianesse stretched forth
his hand, and laid it on Ardoine' s. It
sent a thrill through her frame, and she
drew back several paces. He then grasped
it by force and gave it to the priest, who
held it in that of the Marquis. The deep
cadences of the Archbishop's voice rang
through the deserted chapel, and echoed
along the rafters of the ceiling. The irre-
vocable act was about to be completed.