midnight
I am ready . '' In a moment the bishop was summoned . By the light of a dimly burning lantern , he drew forth the Prayer Book , and read the impressive marriage ceremony of his church . The responses were solemnly uttered , the benediction invoked , and at that midnight hour , in the stillness of the porter 's lodge , Emile Le Grande and the young Jewess were pronounced `` man and wife . '' Driving quickly to the vessel that was ready to depart for the tropical port with the first appearance of the morning sun , Emile soon safely ensconced his bride in the comfortable cabin , and with a feeling of joy , tinged only with a shadowy apprehension , he bade adieu to the kind bishop , who had accompanied them thither . As the morning sun rose , bright and ruddy , from its eastern bed , the vessel 's gun , giving the signal for departing , sounded beyond the foaming bar , and the newly wedded lovers were adrift , alike upon the ocean of life and upon the blue expanse that surrounded them-adrift to suffer a dismal shipwreck , or to anchor safely within some remote harbor of love and security . ANXIOUS and nervous from the expected sorrow of the coming day , Mr. Mordecai rose early from his couch of restless slumber .