three hours after noon
Before these portals were generally drawn curtains , of material rich and glittering as that upon the reading-desk . But this day not only were the curtains drawn aside , but the portals themselves flung open , as the bridal party neared the steps which led to it , and disclosed six or seven rolls of parchment , folded on silver pins , and filled with the same strange letters , each clothed in drapery of variously colored brocade , or velvet , and surmounted by two sets of silver ornaments , in which the bell and pomegranate were , though small , distinctly discernible . A superb lamp , of solid silver , was suspended from the roof ; and one of smaller dimensions , but of equally valuable material , and always kept lighted , hung just before the ark . Julien Morales , at his own particular request , was to read the ceremony ; and three hours after noon he stood within the portals , on the highest step ; a slab of white marble divided him from the bride and bridegroom , over whom a canopy was raised , supported by four silver poles . The luxuriant hair of the bride had been gathered up , and , save two massive braids , shading her brow and cheek , was concealed under a head-dress , somewhat resembling an eastern turban , but well suited to her countenance . Her dress , of the fashion before described , was all of white -- the jacket or bodice richly woven with gold threads ; but so thick a veil enveloped face and form , that her sweet face was concealed , until , at one particular part of the mysterious rite -LRB- for such , to the Spaniards , this ceremony must have been -RRB- , the veil was uplifted for her to taste the sacred wine , and not allowed to fall again . Neither the bridegroom -LRB- agitated himself , for his was not a nature to think lightly of the nuptial rite -RRB- , nor Henriquez -LRB- whose excitement was extreme -RRB- was conscious of the looks of alarm , blended with admiration , which the raising of the veil attracted towards Marie .