Let us wed for eternity . '' With a long and deep regard the bridegroom looked into her eyes , while a tear was gathering in his own . How strange that gush of human feeling from the frozen bosom of a corpse ! He wiped away the tear , even with his shroud . `` Beloved of my youth , '' said he , `` I have been wild . The despair of my whole lifetime had returned at once and maddened me . Forgive and be forgiven . Yes ; it is evening with us now , and we have realized none of our morning dreams of happiness . But let us join our hands before the altar as lovers whom adverse circumstances have separated through life , yet who meet again as they are leaving it and find their earthly affection changed into something holy as religion . And what is time to the married of eternity ? '' Amid the tears of many and a swell of exalted sentiment in those who felt aright was solemnized the union of two immortal souls . The train of withered mourners , the hoary bridegroom in his shroud , the pale features of the aged bride and the death-bell tolling through the whole till its deep voice overpowered the marriage-words , -- all marked the funeral of earthly hopes . But as the ceremony proceeded , the organ , as if stirred by the sympathies of this impressive scene , poured forth an anthem , first mingling with the dismal knell , then rising to a loftier strain , till the soul looked down upon its woe . And when the awful rite was finished and with cold hand in cold hand the married of eternity withdrew , the organ 's peal of solemn triumph drowned the wedding-knell . THE MINISTER 'S BLACK VEIL . A PARABLE . -LSB- 1 -RSB- The sexton stood in the porch of Milford meeting-house pulling lustily at the bell-rope . The old people of the village came stooping along the street . Children with bright faces tripped merrily beside their parents or mimicked a graver gait in the conscious dignity of their Sunday clothes . Spruce bachelors looked sidelong at the pretty maidens , and fancied that the Sabbath sunshine made them prettier than on week-days .
When the throng had mostly streamed into the porch , the sexton began XXXXX toll the bell , keeping his eye on the Reverend Mr. Hooper 's door .
Amid With as before beside for into that through to