eight o'clock in the
evening
I learned how they do it in China , in Turkey , in Russia , in New Zealand , more particularly how it is done , at present , in England and America . As the day drew nigh I felt equal to the emergency I had a powerful motive for acquitting myself handsomely . I wanted to show _ her _ what a mistake she had made . The wedding was to take place in church at eight o'clock in the evening . The previous evening we -- that is , the bride-elect , groom , bridesmaid , and groomsman , parents , and two or three friends -- had a private rehearsal , one of the friends assuming the part of clergyman . All went merry as a marriage bell . I was the soul of ease and grace : Fred was the awkward one , stepping on the bride 's train , dropping the ring , and so forth .