The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-07-18

her imperious eye, lighted with the triumph
of pride, shone over the distinguished as
sembly with an almost youthful brilliancy !
Members Of the House of Representatives, Sena-
tors, members Of the Cabinet with their families,
foreign Ministers with their suites, were present.
The President himself honored the occasion with
his presence. Yet the centre Of oil eyes was
Mrs. Armstrong herself, in her matrOnly grace
and majestic beauty
The arrival Of the Rt. Rev. Bishop H, in
his carriage and canonical robes, caused sensa-
tion. The arrival of the Bishop was soon fol-
lowed by the entrance of the bridal party-a
magnificent spectsclei
seeNe, and place it in fora and color, wildly be-
fore you will try.
The wall of the vast saloon was hung with yell
low damask, and formed q warm back ground TO
the picture. Three immense chandeliers hung
from the ceiling The brilliant company that
filled this room had fallen back all sides leav-
ing space in the centre of the saloon, immedi.
ately under the blaze of the central chandelier
In this broad light, stood the Bishop in his Ca
nonical robes. On his right hand at the distance
of few yards, stood Mrs Armstrong, her males
tic form arrayed in a royal purple velvet, her
black hair arranged in massive braids, and
adorned with a circlet of diamonds and a tuft OF
white ostrich plumes. She leaned upon the arm
Of General -, Commander-in-Chief Of the
American army, in his gorgeous uniform Upon
the left of the Bishop stood the British Minister
and his suite in their court dresses. The bridal
party advanced and arranged itself in semicir-
Gle before this group. The bride was arrayed in
a rich white satin, and over that an open robe Of
game, with deep border of embroidered silver
flowers Her head her neck, her arms, her stom-
scher, were literally blazing with diamonds. The
ss... 49, pSsssJ s2visfSfe in the sdn-ike sprou-
dor. To her left ran line of six young brides
maids, with their white silk dresses and wreaths
& white zes0s Dy der s.pod me bridegroom,
aud on his right line of six young groomsmen.
They were dressed in that elegant gentlemens
wedding costume that needs so little description,
viz the fine blue dress coat the white satin vest,
and kid gloves.
The full light of the chandelier blazed down
upon this gorgeous spectacle. Ii was the focus Of
the eyes Of all that vast company. Some said
that the fine aristocratic features of the bride
groom were very pale, like those of a man going
to his doom-but that might have been from the
contrast of the black silky curls and whskers
that encircled his clear white face Others said
that the bride trembled and rested languidly upon
the arm of her first bridesmaid.
The Bishop opened his book.
A dead silence fell upon the crowd. Their
eyes were rivetted upon the group. Many no.
ticed the fearful paleness of the brides face and
saw her lean heavily upon the arm of the bride
groom. The Bishop, in deep and earnest voice
thus commenced the impressive marriage cere-
mony:
aDearly beloved, We are gathered togethe,
here in the sight of God, and in the face of thii
company, to join together this man and thii
woman in holy matrimony, which is commend ed
by St Paul TO be honorable among all men, AND
therefore is not by any to be entered into unad
visedly or lightly but reverently, discreetly, ad
visedly, soberly, and in the fear of God. Int
this holy state these two people come now to b.
joined IL any man can show just cause why
they may not lawfully be joined together, let hin
now speak, or else hereafter forever hold hi
peace.o
al CAMP shouted o clear, high, imperious voice
and the doors few open, and Gertrude Lion burs
"a beautiful embodied storm, % among them. Sh,
too, in festal garments; shining dark blue SAITH
studded with glittering sapphires, and her mag
n6cent hair rolling a golden glory TO her feet
Her commanding stature-her glowing color-hel
blazing eyes--the glory of her imperious brow
might have made the guilty In that crowd deem
that an avenging angel stood among them
Struck statue-sill, less by the interruption thar
by the splendidly beautiful amazon that made it
the assembled company was held in spell Of 81
lence while they gazed at her
There she stood in her sublime beauty, radia.
ting cold splendor, like sun-struck icebergl
Only one instant was the crowd held in that
spell Of wonder-stricken silence, and then hum OF
many voices rolled through the crowd, as they
exclaimed or inquired Of one another, "Who is
this IN "What does this mean2o "Hai"
"Whatln "How2n "Who is shep
"SnEscE EVERY ONE OF Yorp Numbered the
amazon bringing the loaded end Of her riding
whip down upon the table with q resounding
ring
@Who Is this woman asked the Bishop in
low whisper, of Mrs Armstrong
sob, lunatic mad woman Of the noun
tans Arrest her."
"HoLp YOUR TONGUE, Mas ARMSTRONG !"
shouted the gisntess, raising the end Of her ri
ding whip, and making a step towards her, 81
am GERTRUDE LION and you know me and 80
does James Frobisher, Earl Of Clonmachnois J"
said she, fixing her eyes on the bridegroom.
"James Frobisher, Earl of Clonmachnois,"
wes standing there, giving his whole attention to
the half fainting bride
in q voice full Of commanding tender
ness, opening her arms and holding them out to
the poor bride, who with an instructive bound
cleared the circle, and fell upon the broad and
breast of the amazon
"There, there there, there, be good girl
dove-lke cooed the Falcon, gently caressing her.
at shall not be married if it does not want to
Its Gertrude won't suffer It'll Why did it not
write to its Gertrude! There therel there
there! 1t shall 70 home 10 its Louis! It's Ger
trude will carry it"' said she, stroking down the
brides hair and pressing her fondy to her bosom.
Young lady" began the Bishop, "will you
please to-
"SHur UP snapped the giantess and then gave
her attention to her charge There there!
don't weep, Louise or 1 shall"
"Madam. the assembled company are amazed,
confused, at your singular conduct. In their
name demand the meaning Of this. Upon what
pretence you have arrested this marriage !" asked
the Bishop, advancing and standing before her in
sll the venerableness of his age and Office. 81
insist instantly upon hearing from your lips from
what cause and to what end you have arrested
shis marrisgelo
The amazon raised her imperious brow, and
looking him steadily in the eyes, answered, First,
because want jamie for myself; seeond, because
the would-be bride is the wife of another man y
"Howi What - exclaimed the Bishop.
A thrill Of explanatory establishment ran
through the crowd.
MADAM, you should be very sure Of what you
advsncern exclaimed the Bishop with solemnity
"Ask the bride herself Louise answer,
command you! Are you the wife OF Louis Stu
srt-Gordon or not7n
@Ob I ami am Indeed am, the wife Of
Louis Stuart Gordon
"You hear her!n said Gertrude, triumphantly.
"She il mad mad, | sayp exclaimed Mrs
Armstrong stridipg forward. "Gentlemen, viii
nom Of you arrest this mad woman2D
Gertrude threw glance Of mingled triumph
and defiance over the sstounded crowd Her eye
lighted in It's rowing upon new conner Louis
Stuart Gordon, pale, travel-stained, and dusty,
stood among them.
'Take her, Louis!p exclaimed she tossing her
- IL L. La. L aaia o. my