Chapter 18 - Page 2

former prosperity.
The ceremony was to take place at eleven o'clock, in St. Giles's chapel,
which stood on the shores of Loch Malcolm.

At the appointed time, Harry left the cottage,
supporting his mother on his arm, while Simon led the bride.
Following them came Starr, the engineer, composed in manner,
but in reality nerved to expect the worst, and Jack Ryan,
stepping superb in full Highland piper's costume.
Then came the other mining engineers, the principal people
of Coal Town, the friends and comrades of the old overman--
every member of this great family of miners forming the population
of New Aberfoyle.

In the outer world, the day was one of the hottest of the month
of August, peculiarly oppressive in northern countries. The sultry air
penetrated the depths of the coal mine, and elevated the temperature.
The air which entered through the ventilating shafts, and the great
tunnel of Loch Malcolm, was charged with electricity, and the barometer,
it was afterwards remarked, had fallen in a remarkable manner.
There was, indeed, every indication that a storm might burst forth
beneath the rocky vault which formed the roof of the enormous crypt
of the very mine itself.

But the inhabitants were not at that moment troubling themselves
about the chances of atmospheric disturbance above ground.
Everybody, as a matter of course, had put on his best clothes
for the occasion. Madge was dressed in the fashion of days
gone by, wearing the "toy" and the "rokelay," or Tartan plaid,
of matrons of the olden time, old Simon wore a coat of which
Bailie Nicol Jarvie himself would have approved.

Nell had resolved to show nothing of her mental agitation;
she forbade her heart to beat, or her inward terrors to

betray themselves, and the brave girl appeared before all with a calm
and collected aspect. She had declined every ornament of dress,
and the very simplicity of her attire added to the charming elegance
of her appearance. Her hair was bound with the "snood," the usual
head-dress of Scottish maidens.

All proceeded towards St. Giles's chapel, which had been handsomely
decorated for the occasion.

The electric discs of light which illuminated Coal Town
blazed like so many suns. A luminous atmosphere pervaded
New Aberfoyle. In the chapel, electric lamps shed a glow over
the stained-glass windows, which shone like fiery kaleidoscopes.
At the porch of the chapel the minister awaited the arrival
of the wedding party.

It approached, after having passed in stately procession along
the shore of Loch Malcolm. Then the tones of the organ were heard,
and, preceded by the minister, the group advanced into the chapel.
The Divine blessing was first invoked on all