midnight
But that was impossible . The Canon knew that , for he was very sincere with himself ; and he realized that the change he wanted to see could only come from within , could never be imposed by him from without upon the mysterious dweller in the Temple of Rosamund . That night Rosamund undressed very slowly and `` pottered about '' in her room , doing dreamily unnecessary things . She heard the chimes , and she heard the watchman calling the midnight hour near her window as `` Great John '' lifted up his voice . In the drawers where her clothes were laid the Canon 's housekeeper had put lavender . She smelt it as she listened to the watchman 's voice , shutting her eyes . Presently she drew aside curtain and blind and looked out of the window .