midnight
You should have seen the scared faces of all who were present , as they were obliged to follow this mass by mere mimicry of the priest , without hearing a word ; some rise when others kneel , and sit down when the others are standing up , and all the phases of this singular service are mixed up together in the multitude of different attitudes presented by the worshippers on the benches ... `` The _ abbé _ goes too fast ... . One ca n't follow him , '' murmured the old dowager , shaking her head-dress in confusion . Master Arnoton with great steel spectacles on his nose is searching in his prayer-book to find where the dickens they are . But at heart all these good folks , who themselves are thinking about feasting , are not sorry that the mass is going on at this post haste ; and when Dom Balaguère with radiant face turns towards those present and cries with all his might : `` _ Ite , missa est _ , '' they all respond to him a `` _ Deo gratias _ '' in but one voice , and that as joyous and enthusiastic , as if they thought themselves already seated at the midnight repast and drinking the first toast . Five minutes afterwards the crowd of nobles were sitting down in the great hall , with the chaplain in the midst of them . The château , illuminated from top to bottom , was resounding with songs , with shouts , with laughter , with uproar ; and the venerable Dom Balaguère was thrusting his fork into the wing of a fowl , and drowning all remorse for his sin in streams of regal wine and the luscious juices of the viands . He ate and drank so much , the dear , holy man , that he died during the night of a terrible attack , without even having had time to repent ; and then in the morning when he got to heaven , I leave you to imagine how he was received .