midday
Now and then through the inner throng some handsome page with wind-blown hair and rainbow-colored cloak pushed to the great door , calling : `` Way , sirs , way for my Lord -- way for my Lady of Alderstone ! '' and one by one , or in blithe groups , the courtiers , clad in silks and satins , velvets , jewels , and lace of gold , came up through the lofty folding-doors to their places in the hall . There , where the Usher of the Black Rod stood , and the gentlemen of the chamber came and went with golden chains about their necks , was bowing and scraping without stint , and reverent civility ; for men that were wise and noble were passing by , men that were handsome and brave ; and ladies sweet as a summer day , and as fair to see as spring , laughed by their sides and chatted behind their fans , or daintily nibbled comfits , lacking anything to say . The windows were all curtained in , making a night-time in midday ; and from the walls and galleries flaring links and great bouquets of candles threw an eddying flood of yellow light across the stirring scene . From clump to clump of banner-staves and burnished arms , spiked above the wainscot , garlands of red-berried holly , spruce , and mistletoe were twined across the tapestry , till all the room was bound about with a chain of living green . There were sweet odors floating through the air , and hazy threads of fragrant smoke from perfumes burning in rich braziers ; and under foot was the crisp , clean rustle of new rushes . From time to time , above the hum of voices , came the sound of music from a room beyond -- cornets and flutes , fifes , lutes , and harps , with an organ exquisitely played , and voices singing to it ; and from behind the players ' curtain , swaying slowly on its rings at the back of the stage , came a murmur of whispering childish voices , now high in eager questioning , now low , rehearsing some doubtful fragment of a song .