midnight
On thundered the vehicle with the speed of a whirlwind ; crack went the whip , and clatter went the wheels , as it rattled over the uneven pavement of the court ; a general and furious barking from all the dogs about the house , hailed its arrival . We hurried to the hall in time to hear the steps let down with the sharp clanging noise peculiar to the operation , and the hum of voices exerted in the bustle of arrival . The hall-door was now thrown open , and we all stepped forth to greet our visitors . The court was perfectly empty ; the moon was shining broadly and brightly upon all around ; nothing was to be seen but the tall trees with their long spectral shadows , now wet with the dews of midnight . We stood gazing from right to left , as if suddenly awakened from a dream ; the dogs walked suspiciously , growling and snuffing about the court , and by totally and suddenly ceasing their former loud barking , as also by carrying their tails between their legs , expressing the predominance of fear . We looked one upon the other in perplexity and dismay , and I think I never beheld more pale faces assembled . By my father 's direction , we looked about to find anything which might indicate or account for the noise which we had heard ; but no such thing was to be seen -- even the mire which lay upon the avenue was undisturbed .