midnight
Nothing arose to mar their intercourse until the appointed time for the nuptial ceremonies arrived , when they were united in holy wedlock . But , Edwin Florence did not pass on to this time without another visit from the rebuking Angel of the past . He was not permitted to take the hand of Clara in his , and utter the words that bound him to her forever , without a visit from the one whose heart he had broken years before . She came to him in the dark and silent midnight , as he tossed sleeplessly upon his bed , and stood and looked at him with her pale face and despairing eyes , until he was driven almost to madness . She was with him when the light of morning dawned ; she moved by his side as he went forth to meet and claim his betrothed ; and was near him , invisible to all eyes but his own , when he stood at the altar ready to give utterance to the solemn words that bound him to his bride . And not until these words were said , did the vision fade away . No wonder the face of the bridegroom wore a solemn aspect as he presented himself to the minister , and breathed the vows of eternal fidelity to the living , while before him , as distinct as if in bodily form , was the presence of one long since sleeping ill her grave , who had gone down to her shadowy resting place through his infidelity .