noon
It was Fate ; it was Sophocles . She took the part of the heroine herself , clad in Greek costume ; Felix listened and watched , absorbed in his love . Never had that ancient drama appeared so beautiful as then , in the sunlight ; the actors stepped upon the daisied sward , and the song of birds was all their music . While the play was still proceeding , those who were to form the usual procession had already been assembling in the court before the castle , and just after noon , to the sound of the trumpet , the Baron , with his youngest son beside him -LRB- the eldest was at Court -RRB- , left the porch , wearing his fur-lined short mantle , his collar , and golden spurs , and the decoration won so many years before ; all the insignia of his rank . He walked ; his war-horse , fully caparisoned , with axe at the saddle-bow , was led at his right side , and upon the other came a knight carrying the banneret of the house . The gentlemen of the house followed closely , duly marshalled in ranks , and wearing the gayest dress ; the leading retainers fully armed , brought up the rear . Immediately upon issuing from the gate of the wall , the procession was met and surrounded by the crowd , carrying large branches of may in bloom , flowers , and green willow boughs .