Midnight
He lowered his gaze , and contemplated for a moment , through the railing of slender columns which unites the two towers , far away , through a gauze of mists and smoke , the silent throng of the roofs of Paris , pointed , innumerable , crowded and small like the waves of a tranquil sea on a sum-mer night . The moon cast a feeble ray , which imparted to earth and heaven an ashy hue . At that moment the clock raised its shrill , cracked voice . Midnight rang out . The priest thought of midday ; twelve o'clock had come back again . `` Oh ! '' he said in a very low tone , `` she must be cold now . ''