midnight
The twins themselves soon perceived that there was something in the air . During the day several strange priests arrived , all looking more or less important ; but they did not dine with the duke . The demeanour of the latter was portentously solemn ; Diavolo tried to take him out of himself , but was reproved for his levity ; and Father Ricardo and Lady Fulda went about with exalted expressions of countenance , and looking greatly in need of food and rest . Even in the early part of the evening nobody talked much , and as the hours dragged on slowly toward midnight , the silence in the castle became oppressive . The servants stole about on tiptoe , and in pairs , being nervous about going into the big empty rooms , and down the long shadowy corridors alone . There was , besides , a general inclination to glance about furtively , as the hush of anxious expectancy settled upon everybody . The twins felt it themselves , but they were everywhere all the same , and if any particular preparations had been made , it would have been at the risk of their discovering them .