midnight
Their momentary repose seemed to have given them fresh vigour . The nearer that the time approached , the more did He dread appearing before the Throne of God . He shuddered to think how soon He must be plunged into eternity ; How soon meet the eyes of his Creator , whom He had so grievously offended . The Bell announced midnight : It was the signal for being led to the Stake ! As He listened to the first stroke , the blood ceased to circulate in the Abbot 's veins : He heard death and torture murmured in each succeeding sound . He expected to see the Archers entering his prison ; and as the Bell forbore to toll , he seized the magic volume in a fit of despair . He opened it , turned hastily to the seventh page , and as if fearing to allow himself a moment 's thought ran over the fatal lines with rapidity .