midnight
`` Omit all that -- go on , and do n't kill me with your long preliminaries . '' `` If you had such a story to tell , '' said Gualtier , humbly , `` you would be glad to take refuge for a little while in preliminaries . '' Hilda said nothing . `` It was midnight , '' said Gualtier , resuming his story once more , and speaking with perceptible agitation in the tones of his voice -- `` it was midnight , and intensely dark . The men were at the bow , waiting . All was ready . In the cabin all had been still for some time .