Immediately below the dais, chairs were
placed by the walls for the ladies and officers of the household.
The minstrels' gallery was hung with crimson; long ladders were
brought, and the windows, the great bay window and all save the
painted one, were hung with thick cloth of the same colour, so that
a dull red light filled the huge place. The floor was then strewn
with fresh rushes, and candles were placed and lighted in sconces on
the walls, and in two large candlesticks, one on each side of the
marquis's chair. So numerous were the hands employed in these
preparations, that about one o'clock the alarum-bell gave three
great tolls, and then silence fell.
Almost noiselessly, and with faces more than grave, the people of
the castle in their Sunday clothes began at once to come trooping
in,--amongst the rest Tom Fool, the very picture of dismay. Mrs.
Prescot had refused to be left behind, partly from terror, partly
from curiosity, and supine on a hand-barrow was borne in, and laid
upon two of the table-trestles.
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