midnight
To-night at twelve I shall be called hence . '' The little company were shocked beyond expression . The priest stood before them tall , commanding , his figure full of life and vigour , his eye bright and unfaltering , but his face lighted with a mysterious solemnity that forbade questioning . `` At midnight the bell of the chapel will sound . You may come then , but do not touch my body . To-morrow you will seek M. Compain , the curé of the Isle aux Coudres , and he will prepare my body for burial . '' He withdrew , leaving the company in affrighted silence ; ten , eleven struck , and at midnight the bell of the chapel began to toll .