midnight
Whether I took down the book , or prepared the lamp in the first place , appeared to be a matter of no moment . The latter was preferred , and , leaving my seat , I approached the closet in which , as I mentioned formerly , my books and papers were deposited . Suddenly the remembrance of what had lately passed in this closet occurred . Whether midnight was approaching , or had passed , I knew not . I was , as then , alone , and defenceless . The wind was in that direction in which , aided by the deathlike repose of nature , it brought to me the murmur of the water-fall . This was mingled with that solemn and enchanting sound , which a breeze produces among the leaves of pines .