midnight
The young lady , who had till now observed a profound silence , with a faultering voice exclaimed -- `` Oh , heavens ! are we really in those terrible mountains , and are we indeed in danger ? '' `` No , my love , '' answered Gomez Arias ; `` the danger is not so great as this fool would make us believe . '' `` No , my lady , '' retorted Roque ; `` the danger is not so great , for after all , the worst that can befall us is but to be hung upon a tree , there to dance to the tune of the whistling midnight wind , and to afford a luscious repast to the ravens , and other carnivorous gentry that hold tenantry in these wild passes . '' `` Heavens ! '' cried Theodora alarmed . `` Nay , gentle lady , '' interposed Roque , `` the hanging system will only be followed up with respect to my valiant master and his humble servant .