midnight
The full moon sailed through the deep blue sky , silver-white , crystal-clear . Numberless stars shone sharp and keen . The snowy ground glittered dazzlingly bright and cold ; the trees stood like grim , motionless sentinels , guarding Danton Hall . The village lay hushed in midnight repose ; the tall cross of the Catholic and the lofty spire of the Episcopal church flashed in the moon 's rays . Rapid river and sluggish canal glittered in the silvery light . The night was noiseless , hushed , beautiful . No ; not noiseless .