midnight
Later that evening Heldon 's wife stood cloaked and veiled in the shadows of the pines , facing the house with The Crimson Flag . Her eyes shifted ever from the door to the flag , which was stirred by the light breeze . Once or twice she shivered as with cold , but she instantly stilled again , and watched . It was midnight . Here and there beyond in the village a light showed , and straggling voices floated faintly towards her . For a long time no sound came from the house . But at last she heard a laugh .