midnight
For a few moments they halted , undetermined whether to approach , and demand the delivery of the captured weapon ; but at last agreed to waive the requisition , chiefly at the instance of Narcisse , who authoritatively ruled , that to demand and accept of the feloniously acquired gun , would be to compound a felony . Hereupon , being somewhat more at ease in their minds , they proceeded , and now less noisily , continuing on their way with only occasional bursts of abuse , and the firing off of fag ends of French songs , accompanied with a fitful fusilade of low , horselaughter ; and thus , mollified and maudlin , unsteadily continued their straggling march , until they halted at a gate on the roadside , and some distance behind which , loomed a large , dingy and deserted-looking dwelling , half concealed by tall trees . No light was to be seen , but , after a brief consultation , the party swung open the gate , entered , and having reached the house , one of the number gave a peculiar tapping at a window , followed by a low whistle or call , that was immediately answered by a corresponding sound from within , and this again by a counter signal , which was repeated like the faintly returning tone of an echo ; and , after some delay , the door slowly opened , the voices of men and women , mingling in boisterous mirth , burst forth like the roar of a suddenly opened furnace , the party entered , and the door was closed again . `` How now , you secret , black , and midnight hags ? '' _ Macbeth . _ At the same hour that Narcisse and his companions entered the sombre and suspicious looking dwelling , the advocate returned to his home in the upper environs of the city , wearied in mind and frame , from an application broken only by the entrance of Monsieur Veuillot , and the arrival of a messenger from Stillyside , who , hot and excited from the violent scene whereof it had been the theatre , painted the outrage in deepened colors , and exaggerated form . Anger and shame contended in the old lawyer 's bosom as he heard the story ; the former sentiment urging for the punishment of the delinquents , the latter pleading for forbearance ; for amongst the transgressors was his illegitimate son , whose share in the offence , if brought into the light of the tribunal , would thence cast back a shadow upon the father , and point , publicly and anew , to their disreputable relationship .