midnight
Hilda and Don Hernan signed their names on a parchment placed before them , Bertha and Nanny Clousta signing as witnesses , while Rolf Morton stepped forward and added his name . Two of Don Hernan 's officers , Pedro Alvarez and another , signed their names to the document as witnesses ; whilst Lawrence protested against the marriage , as being without the consent or knowledge of Hilda 's father , and , therefore , according to Shetland law , invalid . This protest he made with an air of dignity wholly different from his usual manner . The midnight wedding ceremony at the old chapel terminated in a most terrific hurricane , and the new married couple were compelled to take refuge from the storm in the house of Bertha Morton . Bertha Morton had been considered not only one of the prettiest girls in that part of Shetland where she was known , but as good and modest as she was pretty , which is saying much in her favour , where beauty , modesty , and kindness of heart are the characteristics of the people . Her cottage , which was one of the largest in the island , was fitted up with more taste and comfort than was usually found in others , and everything about it bore the marks of competency and good taste . She had but lately married Rolf Morton , who had , a year or two before , been left a small property by his friend and guardian , Captain Andrew Scarsdale .