midnight
There were three other occupants of the carriage , which was but dimly lighted by two oil lamps . Salome did not look toward them , but doubled her vail still more closely over her face as she sat down in a corner and turned toward the window , on the left side of her seat . The night was so dark that she could see but little , as the train flashed past what seemed to be but the black shadows of trees , fields , farm-houses , groves , villages , and lonely chateaux . A weird midnight journey , through a strange land to an unknown bourne . Occasionally she stole a glance through her thick vail toward her three fellow passengers , who sat opposite to her , on the back seat -- three silent , black-shrouded figures who sat mute and motionless as watchers of the dead . Very terrifying , but very appropriate figures to take part in her nightmare dream . She turned her eyes away from those silent , shrouded , mysterious figures , and prayed to awake .