midnight
A silvery creature like a slowworm came crawling out from among them , slowly crossed the clay floor , and crept into the fire . We sat motionless . The something came nearer . But the hours passed , midnight drew nigh , and there was no change . The night was very still . Not a sound broke the silence , not a rustle from the fire , not a crack from board or beam . Now and again I felt a sort of heave , but whether in the earth or in the air or in the waters under the earth , whether in my own body or in my soul -- whether it was anywhere , I could not tell .