midnight
When there are many guests they are usually served by lay sisters in a hall set apart for the purpose ; when there are few , their simple meals are brought to them in their rooms . Moreover they of course put on no religious robe , though they dress themselves in black . In the church , or chapel , as the case may be , they do not take places within the latticed choir with the sisters , but either sit in the body of the building , or occupy a side chapel reserved for their use , or else perform their devotions kneeling at high windows above the choir , which communicate within with rooms accessible from the convent . It is usual for them to attend Mass , Vespers , the Benediction and Complines , but when there are midnight services they are not expected to be present . Unorna was familiar with convent life and was aware that the Benediction was over , and that the hour for the evening meal was approaching . A fire had been lighted in her sitting-room , but the air was still very cold and she sat wrapped in her furs as when she had arrived , leaning back in a corner of the sofa , her head inclined forward , and one white hand resting on the green baize cloth which covered the table . She was very tired , and the absolute stillness was refreshing and restoring after the long-drawn-out emotions of the stormy day .