noon
After breakfast he went to see the clergyman of the parish , who lived some miles away ; the result of which visit was that in a few days they were married . First , however , he went once more to the New House , desiring to tell Mr. Palmer what had been and was about to be done . He refused to see him , and would not allow his wife or Christina to go to him . The wedding was solemnized at noon within the ruined walls of the old castle . The withered remnant of the clan , with pipes playing , guns firing , and shouts of celebration , marched to the cave-house to fetch thence the bride . When the ceremony was over , a feast was ready for all in the barn , and much dancing followed . When evening came , with a half-moon hanging faint in the limpid blue , and the stars looking large through the mist of ungathered tears -- those of nature , not the lovers ; with a wind like the breath of a sleeping child , sweet and soft , and full of dreams of summer ; the mountains and hills asleep around them like a flock of day-wearied things , and haunted by the angels of Rob 's visions -- the lovers , taking leave only of the mother , stole away to walk through the heavenly sapphire of the still night , up the hills and over the rushing streams of the spring , to the cave of their rest -- no ill omen but lovely symbol to such as could see in the tomb the porch of paradise .