midnight
A dusty mist quivered in the air ; the street-lamp shone opaquely in the turbid atmosphere ... . As soon as they reached the house Petra made supper for Manuel and prepared a bed for him upon the floor , beside her own . The youth lay down , but so violent was the contrast between the hamlet 's silence and the racket of footsteps , conversations and cries that resounded through the house , that , despite his weariness , Manuel could not sleep . He heard every lodger come in ; it was past midnight when the disturbance quieted down ; suddenly a squabble burst out followed by a crash of laughter which ended in a triply blasphemous imprecation and a slap that woke the echoes . `` What can that be , Mother ? '' asked Manuel from his bed . `` That 's Doña Violante 's daughter whom they 've caught with her sweetheart , '' Petra answered , half from her sleep .