About ten o'clock
no peace ! '' When Father Philip and his unhappy associate went home , he instantly made her a surrender of his small property ; but with difficulty did he command sufficient calmness to accomplish even this . He was distracted -- his blood seemed to have been turned to fire -- he clenched his hands , and he gnashed his teeth , and exhibited the wildest symptoms of madness . About ten o'clock he desired fuel for a large fire to be brought into the kitchen , and got a strong cord , which he coiled and threw carelessly on the table . The family were then ordered to bed . About eleven they were all asleep ; and at the solemn hour of twelve he heaped additional fuel upon the living turf , until the blaze shone with scorching light upon everything around . Dark and desolating was the tempest within him , as he paced , with agitated steps , before the crackling fire .