midnight
I tried to hope , but against reason , that we had perhaps exaggerated the danger . Still , after the compline was over , we sat in deliberation a long time in the hall . The novices and lay brothers , ignorant of the peril , had retired to rest ; but we , who knew the portentous state of things around us , could not have slept had we retired . Ever and anon we looked forth from doors and windows into the black darkness without ; but although it was near midnight , neither sight nor sound told of aught amiss , and we were beginning to yield to fatigue , when I ascended the tower in company with Father Adhelm , to survey the scene for the last time . It was so windy that we could hardly stand upon the leaded roof , and although we gazed around , nought met our eyes until we were on the point of returning . `` Listen ! '' said Father Adhelm , the subprior .