twelve o'clock
That night was still and beautiful . Too excited by the events of the day to think of sleep , Marion Sanford was awake long after midnight . There was no moon , but the skies were cloudless , and a summer breeze played with the curtains of her open window . Far down by the stables she heard the call of the sentry at half-past twelve o'clock . A few minutes later there was a sharp , sudden report , as of a pistol , somewhere down the row ; then as she sprang to the window she heard a stifled cry ; then all was silence again -- unless -- was it fancy ? She felt , rather than heard , a running footfall . Excited , startled , she hastily threw on a wrapper and shawl and ran in to Grace , who was sleeping quietly as before .