He only looked up when Madelon Hautville stopped before him and looked at him with incredulous alarm, as if she could not believe the evidence of her own eyes.
Dressed like a bride herself was Madelon Hautville, in a sheer white gown, which she had fashioned for herself out of an old crape shawl which had belonged to her mother, and cunningly wrought with great garlands of red flowers.

She was going to Burr Gordon's wedding, not knowing the lateness of the hour; for her brother Richard had played a trick upon her, and set back the clock two hours, when to his great wrath she would not stay at home.

The others were half in favor of her going, thinking that it showed her pride; but Richard was sorely set against it, and watched his chance, and slipped back the hands of the clock that she should be too late to see the wedding of the man who had forsaken her.
Madelon looked at Burr, and he at her, and neither spoke.

Then, when she saw surely who it was, she cried out half in wonder and half chidingly, as if she had been his mother reproaching him for his tardiness: "What are you doing here, Burr Gordon?
Do you know 'tis nearly eight o'clock, and time for your wedding ?" "'Tis nearly ten," said Burr, "and there is no wedding." "Nearly ten ?" "Yes." "But 'twas not eight by our clock." Burr took out the great gold timepiece which had belonged to his father, and held it towards her, and she saw the face plainly in the moonlight.
"What does this mean ?" she said; and then she cried, half shrinking away from him, "Are you married then?
Where is she ?" "Dorothy Fair is at home in her chamber, and I am not married, and never shall be." "Why--what does this mean, Burr Gordon ?" "She will not have me, and--no blame to her." "Will not have you, and the people there, and the hour set! Will not have you?
Burr, she shall have you! I promise you she shall.

I will go talk to her.