midnight
With which he turned to retrace his steps , taking up the Litany of the Blessed Virgin once more as he went , the supplication : `` Agnus Dei , qui tollis peccata mundi , miserere nobis , '' being audible long after he was out of sight . The Boy remained as he had left him for some time , apparently lost in thought ; and the girl still stood a little way off in a dejected attitude , her hands clasped before her , her eyes fixed on the ground . She looked ill and spiritless . The Boy , glancing at her carelessly , wondered at the intent expression of her face ; he did not perceive that she was praying , but she was , The midnight stillness deepened about those two ; there was not another living creature to be seen . The irregular old buildings on every side looked ruinous in the shadowy moonlight , and the whole market-place presented to the Boy a picture of desolation which chilled him . He was about to turn away with a last cursory glance at the other solitary figure , when something suddenly occurred which arrested his attention . It seemed to startle him too , for he sprang back , with prompt agility , into a dark doorway behind him , from whence he watched what followed with the keenest interest , being careful , however , to conceal himself the while .