In age, personal appearance,
and apparently in condition of life, there was no very evident unfitness,
though Adelheid fancied that the mien of the maiden announced a better
breeding than that of her companion--a difference which she was willing to
ascribe, however, to a greater aptitude in her own sex to receive the
first impress of the moral seal, than that which belongs to man.
"She is fair," whispered Adelheid, slightly bending her head towards
Sigismund, who stood at her side, "and must deserve her happiness."
"She is good, and merits a better fate!" muttered the youth, breathing so
hard as to render his respiration audible.
The startled Adelheid raised her eyes, and strong but suppressed agitation
was quivering in every lineament of her companion's countenance. The
attention of those near was so closely drawn towards the procession, as to
allow an instant of unobserved communication.
"Sigismund, this is thy sister!"
"God so cursed her."
"Why has an occasion, public as this, been chosen to wed a maiden of her
modesty and manner?"
"Can the daughter of Balthazar be squeamish? Gold, the interest of the
abbaye, and the foolish _eclat_ of this silly scene, have enabled my
father to dispose of his child to yonder mercenary, who has bargained like
a Jew in the affair, and who, among other conditions, has required that
the true name of his bride shall never be revealed.
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