midnight
There is no help for it ; we have sworn to obey him , and we must keep our oath ! '' They passed slowly along the street , too absorbed in their own uncomfortable reflections for the interchange of many words . By the rules of the Revolutionary Committee , they were not allowed ` to follow or track any other member ' so they were careful to walk in a reverse direction to that taken by their late comrades . The great bell of the Cathedral boomed midnight as they climbed towards the citadel , and the pale moon peeping whitely through piled-up fleecy clouds , shed a silver glare upon the quiet sea . And down into the ` slums , ' down , and ever deeper , into the sad and cheerless ` Quarter of the Poor ' Pasquin Leroy walked as though he trod lightly on a path of flowers , -- his heart beating high , and his soul fully awakened within him , thrilled , he knew not why , to the heart 's core by the soft low voice of Lotys , -- and glad that in the glimpses of the moonlight her eyes were occasionally lifted to his face , with something of a child 's trust , if not of a woman 's tenderness . The spring was now advancing into full summer , and some time had passed since the Socialist party had gathered under their leaders to the voice of Lotys . Troublous days appeared to be impending for the Senate , and rumours of War , -- war sometimes apparently imminent , and again suddenly averted , -- had from time to time worried the public through the Press .