midnight
In a corner there was a pair of small slippers , trimmed with odd bits of coloured silk , and lined with white hare skin , and beside them a girdle of crimson leather . He looked upon these objects with strange reverence , but did not dare to touch them . Then he went to the cave 's entrance and stood with his shoulder leaning against the rock , and looking dreamily across the Clyde towards Largs . It was still two hours before midnight , and believing that he was soon to encounter his enemy Roderic in a hand-to-hand combat , he felt a gloomy , melancholy spirit come upon him . If Roderic should overcome him in the fight , how would it be with the people of Bute ? They would never be happy under the tyrannical rule of the bold sea rover . What would become of his mother ?