midnight
_ Dec. 24th . -- _ I have made all my arrangements . Tonight at eleven I slip out ; Sor Asdrubale and his sisters will be sound asleep . I have questioned them ; their fear of rheumatism prevents their attending midnight mass . Luckily there are no churches between this and the Corte ; whatever movement Christmas night may entail will be a good way off . The Vice-Prefect 's rooms are on the other side of the palace ; the rest of the square is taken up with state-rooms , archives , and empty stables and coach-houses of the palace . Besides , I shall be quick at my work .