midnight
Next day the whole world of Petrograd was startled . To Grichka the Blessed Virgin had once again revealed herself , just as she had done years ago to the peasant girl at Lourdes . The Procurator of the Holy Synod called to see him at noon to inquire of him personally , and ascertain what he had seen . Rasputin , with his hands crossed over his breast , turned his dark eyes heavenward , and said : `` It is true that last night , just after midnight , as I was praying in my room , Our Lady appeared unto me in a cloud of shining light . She was clothed in bright blue , and in her hands she bore a bunch of lilies . Behind her I saw a picture of a great battlefield , where our soldiers were retreating in disorder , being shot down in hundreds by the machine-guns of the enemy -- and worse -- and worse ! '' And the charlatan hid his face in his hands as though to shut out the horror of the recollection .