Chapter 19

           Thedaywasfresh,withalivelyspringwindfullofdust.Alltheoldladiesinbothfamilieshadgotouttheirfadedsablesandyellowingermines,andthesmellofcamphorfromthefrontpewsalmostsmotheredthefaintspringscentoftheliliesbankingthealtar.NewlandArcher,atasignalfromthesexton,hadcomeoutofthevestryandplacedhimselfwithhisbestmanonthechancelstepofGraceChurch.Thesignalmeantthatthebroughambearingthebrideandherfatherwasinsight;buttherewassuretobeaconsiderableintervalofadjustmentandconsultationinthelobby,wherethebridesmaidswerealreadyhoveringlikeaclusterofEasterblossoms.Duringthisunavoidablelapseoftimethebridegroom,inproofofhiseagerness,wasexpectedtoexposehimselfalonetothegazeoftheassembledcompany;andArcherhadgonethroughthisformalityasresignedlyasthroughalltheotherswhichmadeofanineteenthcenturyNewYorkweddingaritethatseemedtobelongtothedawnofhistory.Everythingwasequallyeasy—orequallypainful,asonechosetoputit—inthepathhewascommittedtotread,andhehadobeyedtheflurriedinjunctionsofhisbestmanaspiouslyasotherbridegroomshadobeyedhisown,inthedayswhenhehadguidedthemthroughthesamelabyrinth.Sofarhewasreasonablysureofhavingfulfilledallhisobligations.