midnight
He would , however , have very much liked to know who would undertake this dangerous enterprise . Never had Maria had to exercise such self-control as now , when , gazing through the window into the night , she watched with the utmost _ sang froid _ the distant conflagration which was lighting up the room . For an instant the thought of what was happening there and what might be happening elsewhere flashed through her brain . She saw vividly before her all those midnight horrors , and all the time she had to affect an enthusiastic interest in the affair . `` Numa Pompilius , we must make haste ! Have you a good steed handy here ? Mine I have left behind on the road , it was no longer of any service to me . ''