noon
The sun now clothed the edifice with splendour , it looked golden and proud and victorious , flaring with immortal glory . Then Guillaume , still silent , still feeling Salvat 's last glance upon him , seemed to come to some sudden and final decision . He looked at the basilica with glowing eyes , and pronounced sentence upon it . THE wedding was to take place at noon , and for half an hour already guests had been pouring into the magnificently decorated church , which was leafy with evergreens and balmy with the scent of flowers . The high altar in the rear glowed with countless candles , and through the great doorway , which was wide open , one could see the peristyle decked with shrubs , the steps covered with a broad carpet , and the inquisitive crowd assembled on the square and even along the Rue Royale , under the bright sun . After finding three more chairs for some ladies who had arrived rather late , Duthil remarked to Massot , who was jotting down names in his note-book : `` Well , if any more come , they will have to remain standing . '' `` Who were those three ? ''