midnight
How prettily the fire-light glinted in their white robes and loosened hair ! How sweetly their low voices and rippling laughter broke the drowsy silence of the large , handsome room ! Suddenly the great clock in the tower struck twelve . They counted off the strokes on their white fingers , looking into each other 's faces with a bright expectancy ; and after a moment 's pause , out clashed the Christmas bells , answering each other from hill to hill through the moonlit midnight . Phyllis was in an ecstasy of delight . She threw open her window and stood listening , `` O , I know what they say , Elizabeth . Glory be to God on high !