midnight
She dwelt on these , and the thought of what was coming filled her with a fearful joy . She thought of them , and took the lamp and passed into the next room , and , throwing the light on the rough face of brickwork that closed the great window , she eyed the cracks eagerly , and scarcely kept her fingers from beginning the work . For she understood the plot . One man working silently within , in darkness , could demolish the wall in an hour ; then a whistle , rope ladders , a line of men ascending , and before midnight the house would vomit armed men , the nearest gate would be seized , the town would lie at the mercy of the enemy ! Presently she had to go to her daughter , but the current of her thoughts kept the same course . The girl was sullen , and lay with her face to the wall , and gave short answers , venting her misery after the common human fashion on the one who loved her best . The mother bore it , not as before with the patience that scorned even to upbraid , but grimly , setting down each peevish word to the score that was so soon to be paid .