midnight
He then entered his house . The prayer-book lay open as the young girl had left it ; the page was still damp with her tears . Numa 's hand trembled , as he kissed the volume fervently and placed it in his bosom . When night came on , the Roumin lay down on his wolf-skin couch , where the golden-haired maiden , and her lover before her , had slept , but it seemed as if they had stolen his rest -- he could not close his eyes there , so he rose and went out on the porch , where he spread his rug before the open door ; but it was long ere he could sleep -- there was an unwonted feeling at his heart , something like happiness , yet inexpressibly sad ; and , buried in deep reverie , he lay with his eyes fixed on the dark blue starry vault above him till past midnight . Suddenly he thought he heard the report of some fire-arms at a great distance , and at the same moment two stars sank beneath the horizon . Numa thought of the travelers , and a voice seemed to whisper , `` They are now happy ! '' The moon had risen high in the heavens , when the Decurio was roused from his sleep by heavy footsteps , and five or six Wallachians , among whom was Lupey , stood before him .