midnight
The church bell was silent now , but the hautboy did not cease . It was barbarous and provocative , shrill with a persistent triumph . Domini went to bed early , but she could not sleep . Just before midnight she heard someone walking up and down on the verandah . The step was heavy and shuffling . It came and went , came and went , without pause till she was in a fever of uneasiness . Only when two chimed from the church did it cease at last .