midnight
`` And we wo n't make any vows , '' cried the widow , `` except marriage vows . '' `` And New Year 's irresolutions , '' added the bachelor . `` Listen , '' cried the widow softly , with her fingers on her lips . A peal of a thousand silver bells rang out on the midnight air . `` The chimes ! '' exclaimed the widow . `` They 're full of promises ! ''