Conclusion

It seemed too great a joy to be true, and by way of reassuring himself
he had to look often at the crowds of people hurrying by, and down upon
old Sam, who, in full dress, with white cotton gloves drawn awkwardly
upon his cramped distorted fingers, stood by the carriage, bowing to all
who passed, himself the very personification of perfect bliss. Sam was
very happy, inasmuch as he took upon himself the credit of having made
the match, and was never tired of relating the wondrous story to all who
would listen to it.

"Massah Hugh de perfectest massah," he said, "and Miss Ellis a little
more so;" adding that though "Canaan was a mighty nice place, he 'sumed
he'd rather not go thar jist yet, but live a leetle longer to see them
'joy themselves. Thar they comes--dat's miss in gray. She knows how't
orange posies and silks and satins is proper for weddin' nights; but
she's gwine travelin', and dat's why she comed out in dat stun-color,
Sam'll be blamed if he fancies." And having thus explained Alice's
choice of dress, the old negro held the carriage door himself, while
Hugh, handing in his mother, sister and his bride, took his seat beside
them, and was driven to the church.

Twenty minutes passed, and then the streets were filled again; but now
the people were going home, talking as they went of the beauty of the
bride and of the splendid-looking bridegroom, who looked so fondly at
her as she murmured her responses, kissing her first himself when the
ceremony was over, and letting his arm rest for a moment around her
slender form. No one doubted its being a genuine love match, and all
rejoiced in the happiness of the newly-married pair, who, at the village
depot, were waiting for the train which would take them on their way to
Kentucky, for that was their destination.