midnight
His lips were sundered , and his eyes riveted upon his mother , as he devoured her words . `` I left you and went down stairs into that room , Philip , which since that dreadful night has never been re-opened . I sate me down and read , for the wind was strong , and when the gale blows , a sailor 's wife can seldom sleep . It was past midnight , and the rain poured down . I felt unusual fear , -- I knew not why , I rose from the couch and dipped my finger in the blessed water , and I crossed myself . A violent gust of wind roared round the house and alarmed me still more . I had a painful , horrible foreboding ; when , of a sudden , the windows and window-shutters were all blown in , the light was extinguished , and I was left in utter darkness .