nine o'clock
It was therefore , though in reality situated within the ballium or outer court , nearer by many hundred yards to the dwelling of the baron than to the castle walls , its granaries , towers , etc. . This outward ballium indeed was a very large space , giving the appearance of a closely-built village or town , from the number of low wooden and thatched-roofed dwellings , which on either side of the large open space before the great gate were congregated together . This account may , we fear at such a moment , seem somewhat out of place , but events in the sequel compel us to be thus particular . A space about half a mile square surrounded the church , and this position , when visited , by Sir Nigel at nine o'clock , was quiet and deserted ; indeed there was very much less confusion and other evidences of disquiet within the dwellings than was now usual , and this circumstance perhaps heightened the calm which , as we have said , had settled on Sir Nigel 's mind . There was silence within that little sacred edifice , the silence of emotion ; for not one could gaze upon that young fair girl , could think of that devoted spirit , which at such a time preferred to unite her fate with a beloved one than seek safety and freedom in flight , without being conscious of a strange swelling of the heart and unwonted moisture in the eye ; and there was that in the expression of the beautiful features of Nigel Bruce none could remark unmoved . He was so young , so gifted , so strangely uniting the gift of the sage , the poet , with the glorious achievements of the most perfect knight , that he had bound himself alike to every heart , however varied their dispositions , however opposite their tastes ; and there was not one , from the holy Abbot of Scone to the lowest and rudest of the men-at-arms , who would not willingly , aye , joyfully have laid down life for his , have gladly accepted chains to give him freedom . The deep , sonorous voice of the abbot audibly faltered as he commenced the sacred service , and looked on the fair beings kneeling , in the beauty and freshness of their youth , before him .