about seven in the
evening
The cathedral was crowded when they reached it , and Dr. Hedley in white robes came forward to meet the bride and , with smiles and loving good will , to unite her forever to the choice of her soul . It was almost a musical marriage . Melody began and followed and closed the whole ceremonial . About twenty returned with the bridal party to the Ragnor House to eat the bridal dinner , but the general townsfolk were to have their feast and dance in the Town Hall about seven in the evening . The Bishop stayed only to bless the meal , for the boat was waiting that was to carry him to a Convocation of the Church then sitting in Edinburgh . But he wore his sprig of rosemary on his vest , and he stood at Ragnor 's right hand and watched him mix the Bride Cup , watched him mingle in one large silver bowl of pre-Christian age the pale , delicious sherry and fine sugar and spices and stir the whole with a strip of rosemary . Then every guest stood up and was served with a cup , most of them having in their hand a strip of rosemary to stir it with .