midnight
Sally took the service from the room . And the viscountess wheeled her chair around to the fire , placed her feet upon the fender , and yielded her wearied and distracted spirit up to the healing and soothing influences of night and solitude . As she sat there , the words of a beautiful hymn glided into her memory . Often before this evening , lying alone and wakeful upon her bed , -- feeling the great blessing night brought her , in isolating her entirely from her evil companions , and drawing her into a purer sphere , feeling all the sweet and holy influences of night around her , -- she had soothed her spirit to rest repeating the words of Mr. Longfellow 's hymn : `` From the cool cisterns of the midnight air My spirit drinks repose ; The fountains of perpetual peace flows there , From those deep cisterns flows . Oh , Holy Night ! from thee I learn to bear What souls have borne before , Thou lay ` st thy fingers on the lips of care And they complain no more . Peace !