noon
The engine whistled ; Mr. Murray pressed a long , warm kiss on the hand he had taken , the cars moved on ; and as he lifted his hat , giving her one of his imperial , graceful bows , Edna had a last glimpse of the dark , chiselled , repulsive yet handsome face that had throws its baleful image deep in her young heart , and defied all her efforts to expel it . The wind howled around the cars , the rain fell heavily , beating a dismal tattoo on the glass , the night was mournfully dreary , and the orphan sank back and lowered her veil , and hid her face in her hands . Henceforth she felt that in obedience to her own decision , and fiat `` They stood aloof , the scars remaining Like cliffs that had been rent asunder ; A dreary sea now flows between ; But neither heat nor frost nor thunder Shall wholly do away , I ween , The marks of that which once hath been . '' As day dawned the drab clouds blanched , broke up in marbled masses , the rain ceased , the wind sang out of the west , heralding the coming blue and gold , and at noon not one pearly vapor sail dotted the sky . During the afternoon Edna looked anxiously for the first glimpse of `` Lookout , '' but a trifling accident detained the train for several hours , and it was almost twilight when she saw it , a purple spot staining the clear beryl horizon ; spreading rapidly , shifting its Tyrian mantle for gray robes ; and at length the rising moon silvered its rocky crest , as it towered in silent majesty over the little village nestled at its base . The kind and gentlemanly conductor on the cars accompanied Edna to the hotel , and gave her a parcel containing several late papers . As she sat in her small room , weary and yet sleepless , she tried to divert her thoughts by reading the journals , and found in three of them notices of the last number of -- Magazine , and especial mention of her essay : `` Keeping the Vigil of St. Martin under the Pines of Grutli . ''