half past seven
At seven o'clock a thin vapor hung in the air and waved to and fro like a veil . It blurred the face of the houses , softened their sharp outlines , and seemed at some moments to carry them away into the distance . The sun rose soft and white as an autumn moon behind a scarf of cloud . At half past seven the Market Place was thronged . On every inch of the ground , on every balcony , in every window , over every portico , along the roofs of the houses north , south , east , and west , clinging to the chimney-stacks , hanging high up on the pyramidical turrets of the guard-house itself , astride the arms of the old cross , peering from between the battlements of the cathedral tower and the musket lancets of the castle , were crowded , huddled , piled , the spectators of that morning 's tragedy . What a motley throng ! Some in yellow and red , some in black ; men , women , and children lifted shoulder-high .