about midnight
Donald had been seen moving about between Marsden and Lake Megantic wearing an air of disquietude . Something was impending . In a vague way the people felt that something sinister was going to happen . 'T was about midnight in the village of Marsden . Darkness enveloped it as a mourning garment . Painful effort , and strife , and sorrow were all forgotten in that deep sleep which , as the good Book says , is peculiarly sweet to the laboring man . The Duquettes had not yet retired to rest .