at least five hours before ten o'clock
This hint -- gentle in itself , and sounded , or rather whispered in his ear , by a voice the very gentlest imaginable -- nevertheless , seemed to strike him as something wholly unexpected ; and , while they turned to retrace their steps , he appeared rather at a loss what to say . The truth was , he had been thinking for some time past of introducing a subject in which he felt he was deeply interested ; but , as he had never in his life before had occasion to introduce such a subject to the notice of a woman , he knew not how to begin , and hence his inattention to the matter of miles and furlongs , and the length of their walk . Fearing , however , that another opportunity equally favourable might not soon occur , or perhaps he might be influenced by the idea that some one more favourably situated might supersede him -- it matters little which -- at length he did make out to declare his affection ; with what tones , or in what words , has not been recorded . The days , at this season of the year , being nearly at the shortest , and the nights at the longest , the evening 's festivity was early begun , and the bridal merriment had lasted at least five hours before ten o'clock . By this time , James Duff , who had a number of miles to travel before he could reach his master 's farm , and who , moreover , had to attend his work next day , began to think of taking his departure . But , while the mirth and festivity had been proceeding within , the weather had been getting gradually more and more stormy without . For the last half-hour , the wind had been howling furiously and loud around the house ; the few stars which were visible `` sent down a sklintin light ; '' the clouds , previously accumulated , had begun to career overhead ; and , at the time spoken of , a blinding fall of snow came on .