midnight
Ah , well ! that was my masterpiece . I have never done anything better . '' -LSB- * -RSB- An allusion to the `` midnight mass '' usually celebrated in Roman Catholic churches on Christmas Eve . -- Translator . He relapsed into silence , smiling and dwelling with gratification on this reminiscence . The cart had now reached the Arc de Triomphe , and strong currents of air swept from the avenues across the expanse of open ground .