eight o'clock in the evening
Thenceforth there had been no communication between her and her father , save the unworded messages of soul to soul across whatever may divide them . David Spencer 's invitation to his daughter 's wedding was sent with the others , and the remaining days of Rachel 's maidenhood slipped away in a whirl of preparation and excitement in which her mother reveled , but which was distasteful to the girl . The wedding day came at last , breaking softly and fairly over the great sea in a sheen of silver and pearl and rose , a September day , as mild and beautiful as June . The ceremony was to be performed at eight o'clock in the evening . At seven Rachel stood in her room , fully dressed and alone . She had no bridesmaid , and she had asked her cousins to leave her to herself in this last solemn hour of girlhood . She looked very fair and sweet in the sunset-light that showered through the birches .