midnight
`` Tell me the truth , John , '' said Glenarvan , calmly . `` The truth , my Lord , is that we are at a standstill . Whether the sea will devour us is another question ; but we have time to consider . '' `` It is midnight ? '' `` Yes , my Lord , and we must wait for the day . '' `` Can we not lower the boat ? '' `` In such a sea , and in the dark , it is impossible .