midnight
The new Count himself took up the task of watching , and paced all night before the tomb of the third Henry . He was not a man to fall asleep while engaged on such a somber mission , and the outcome of his vigil was so amazing that in the morning he gathered the brethren together in the great hall of the Abbey , that he might relate to them his experience . The wooden statue had turned over , and fallen to the floor , as was its habit , but on this occasion it groaned as it fell . This mournful sound struck terror into the heart of the lonely watcher , who now , he confessed , regretted he had not accepted the offer of the monks to share his midnight surveillance . The courage of the House of Sayn is , however , a well-known quality , and , notwithstanding his piety , the new holder of the title was possessed of it , for although admitting a momentary impulse towards flight , and the calling for assistance which the monks would readily have given , he stood his ground , and in trembling voice asked what he could do to forward the contentment of his deceased relative . The statue replied , still face downward on the stone floor , that never could the late wicked Count rest in peace unless the heir to his titles and lands should take upon himself the sins Henry had committed during his life , while a younger member of the family should become a monk of the Benedictine Order , and daily intercede for the welfare of his soul . `` With extreme reluctance , '' continued the devout nobleman , `` I gave my assent to this unwelcome proposal , providing only that it should receive the sanction of the Abbot and brethren of the Monastery of Sayn , hoping by a life of continuous rectitude to annul , in some measure at least , the evil works of Henry III. ; and that holy sanction I now request , trusting if given it may remove any doubts regarding the righteousness of my promise . ''