about one o'clock
Immediately below the dais , chairs were placed by the walls for the ladies and officers of the household . The minstrels ' gallery was hung with crimson ; long ladders were brought , and the windows , the great bay window and all save the painted one , were hung with thick cloth of the same colour , so that a dull red light filled the huge place . The floor was then strewn with fresh rushes , and candles were placed and lighted in sconces on the walls , and in two large candlesticks , one on each side of the marquis 's chair . So numerous were the hands employed in these preparations , that about one o'clock the alarum-bell gave three great tolls , and then silence fell . Almost noiselessly , and with faces more than grave , the people of the castle in their Sunday clothes began at once to come trooping in , -- amongst the rest Tom Fool , the very picture of dismay . Mrs. Prescot had refused to be left behind , partly from terror , partly from curiosity , and supine on a hand-barrow was borne in , and laid upon two of the table-trestles . Order and what arrangement was needful were enforced amongst them by Mr. Cook , one of the ushers .