midnight
He had heard in the early dawn the bell for rising ; he had started up , then upon his elbow realized that he had freed himself from its tyranny . He had slidden back into his warm place , smiling to himself , and fallen into a sleep as quiet as that of a child . About eight he was roused by a brother sent to see if he was ill , his absence from early mass having been noted . Maurice sent the messenger away with the explanation that having been out to the midnight service he had slept late ; then , being left alone , he made his toilet with deliberation . He seemed to himself a new man . There appeared to be no longer any difficulty in life . He reflected that one had but to follow common sense , to live sincerely up to what commended itself to his reason , and existence became wonderfully simplified .