midnight
_ Macbeth . _ The abductors of Amanda were no other than the three sons of André Duchatel , along with the vindictive Narcisse acting as their guide . He and Alphonse Duchatel , at the branching of the road , had parted company with the others , and so drawn upon themselves the pursuer , Claude Montigny , who being magnificently mounted gained fast upon them , till fearing to be overtaken they leaped from their horses , and taking to their heels concealed themselves amongst the trees that covered the side of the mountain , and where no rider could follow . Claude then saw that he had been the dupe of a stratagem ; and after galloping across the country , struck the road that he had been decoyed from following ; then urging his horse in the direction which he supposed the principal abductors had pursued , he at length in despair left it , and again clearing fence and brook , held his course towards the city of Montreal , where he arrived betwixt midnight and dawn , and with the butt of his riding-whip knocked at the advocate 's door . The old man was dreaming of the apparently fair fortune of Amanda ; of the ingenuous Claude , and of his father , the importunate and imperious Seigneur , when the clang rung through the mansion , and rudely dispelled his visions . At first he was doubtful as to the reality of the alarm , and was dropping again to sleep , when once more the riding-whip sent the startling summons , and leaping from his bed , he threw open the window , and putting his head out , gruffly demanded , who was there . `` Claude Montigny , '' was answered from beneath .