midnight
Belotti approached it and , as he saw the padrona 's well-known hands , a convulsive sob shook the old man 's breast . Then he knelt beside the coffin , pressed his lips , to the cold , slender fingers , and a warm tear , the only one shed for this dead form , fell on the hands now clasped forever . The burgomaster and his companion did not interrupt him , even when he laid his forehead upon the wood of the coffin and uttered a brief , silent prayer . After he had risen , and an elderly priest in the sacerdotal robes had left the room , Father Damianus beckoned to the acolytes , with whom he had lingered in the background , and aided by them and Belotti put the lid on the coffin , then turned to Peter Van der Werff , saying : `` We intend to bury Fraulein Van Hoogstraten at midnight , that no offence may be given . '' `` Very well , sir ! '' replied the burgomaster . `` Whatever may happen , we shall not expel you from the city .