midnight
The two gentlemen decided to walk , the night being clear and frosty , and so , dismissing Mr. Morris 's carriage , they sauntered leisurely down to the Place Louis XV . and so by the way of the Quai de Bourbon and the Quai de l'École over the Pont Neuf to the great parvis of Notre Dame . Arrived at the Cathedral , the Suisse , in scarlet velvet and gold lace , gave them places over against the choir , where they could hear and see all that passed . Though 't was midnight , the great church was filled with a throng of worshippers , who knelt and rose and knelt again as mass proceeded . From the altar rose clouds of incense from censers swung by acolytes ; now and then could be heard the tinkle of a silver bell at the Elevation of the Host and the voice of the priest , monotonous and indistinct , in that vast edifice . Lights twinkled , the air grew heavy with incense , and great bursts of music rolled from the organ-loft . 'T was a magnificent ceremonial , and Mr. Morris and Calvert came away thrilled and awed .