midnight
Thus heavily moved the hours till midnight , when she counted the sullen notes of the great clock , as they rolled along the rampart , unmingled with any sound , except the distant foot-fall of a sentinel , who came to relieve guard . She now thought she might venture towards the turret , and , having gently opened the chamber door to examine the corridor , and to listen if any person was stirring in the castle , found all around in perfect stillness . Yet no sooner had she left the room , than she perceived a light flash on the walls of the corridor , and , without waiting to see by whom it was carried , she shrunk back , and closed her door . No one approaching , she conjectured , that it was Montoni going to pay his midnight visit to her unknown neighbour , and she determined to wait , till he should have retired to his own apartment . When the chimes had tolled another half hour , she once more opened the door , and , perceiving that no person was in the corridor , hastily crossed into a passage , that led along the south side of the castle towards the staircase , whence she believed she could easily find her way to the turret . Often pausing on her way , listening apprehensively to the murmurs of the wind , and looking fearfully onward into the gloom of the long passages , she , at length , reached the staircase ; but there her perplexity began . Two passages appeared , of which she knew not how to prefer one , and was compelled , at last , to decide by chance , rather than by circumstances .