midnight
Had not Tom Fool , who had remained by the door , led the way from the hall , it might have been doubtful when any one would venture to stir ; but , with many a deep-drawn breath and sigh of relief , they trooped slowly out after him , until the body of the hall was empty . In their hearts keen curiosity and vague terror contended like fire and water . From that hour , while Raglan stood , the face of Amanda Serafina was no more seen within its walls . At midnight shrieks and loud wailings were heard , but if they came from Amanda , they were her last signs . I shall not , however , hide the proceedings of lord Herbert without the hall any more than he did himself when he reached the oak parlour with the members of his own family , in which Dorothy seemed now included . He had taken Tom Fool both because he knew the castle so well , and might therefore be useful in searching for Amanda , and because he believed he might depend , if not on his discretion , yet on his dread , for secrecy . They had scarcely left the hall before they were joined by Caspar , who , while his master and the fool went in one direction , set off in another , and after a long search in vain , at length found her in an empty stall in the subterranean stable , as if , in the agony of her terror at the awful noises and the impending discovery , she had sought refuge in the companionship of the innocent animals .