twelve o'clock
We were alone -- the priest , Alresca , and I -- and I felt afraid . In vain I glanced round , in order to reassure myself , at the stained-glass windows , now illumined by September starlight , at the beautiful carving of the choir-stalls , at the ugly rococo screen . I was afraid , and there was no disguising my fear . Suddenly the clock chimes of the belfry rang forth with startling resonance , and twelve o'clock struck upon the stillness . Then followed upon the bells a solemn and funereal melody . `` How comes that ? '' I asked the priest , without stopping to consider whether I had the right to speak during my vigil .