midnight
During all that afternoon , Aunt Mary remained in her chamber , in deep communion with herself . For the last twenty years she had never , on a single occasion , stayed away from the Lord 's table ; but now she felt that she dared not go forward , for she was not in love and charity with her neighbours , and the injunction was explicit . Night came , and at the usual hour she retired , but not to sleep the sweet refreshing sleep that usually locked up her senses . Her thoughts were so active and troubled , that she could not sink away into a quiet slumber until long after midnight . In the morning she felt no better , and , as church time approached , her heart beat more heavily in her bosom . Finally , the nine o'clock bell rang , and every stroke seemed like a knell . At last the hour for assembling came , and Aunt Mary , cast down in heart , repaired to the meeting-house .