midnight
`` Yes , Marquise , '' he whispered for a second to his countrywoman near him ; `` I have lost God for many a day ; I have found him again in this hour . A _ Te Deum _ for my requiem ! '' and looking aghast upon his face in the great light , the Marquise crossed herself , and averred ever afterwards that it was transformed like unto that of his patron saint , St. Francis . The next moment he plunged into the midnight sea . Those who witnessed the action declared that the reflection of the burning was so strong that he seemed to sink into a lake of fire , where he rose again presently , and breasted the waters stoutly . The girl saw the design ; she comprehended it , and the hoarse murmur of encouragement that hailed its presence of mind . The concentration of the flames , which threatened every moment to bring down a portion of the ponderous roof in one destroying crash , left a freer passage .