midnight
Imboldened by the consciousness , that in case of need succour was close at hand , Rose drew back into her little chamber , and having ascertained , by listening , that there was no noise or stirring in that of Eveline , she began to make some preparations for her own repose . For this purpose she went into the outward ante-room , where Dame Gillian , whose fears had given way to the soporiferous effects of a copious draught of _ lithe-alos _ , -LRB- mild ale , of the first strength and quality , -RRB- slept as sound a sleep as that generous Saxon beverage could procure . Muttering an indignant censure on her sloth and indifference , Rose caught , from the empty couch which had been destined for her own use , the upper covering , and dragging it with her into the inner ante-room , disposed it so as , with the assistance of the rushes which strewed that apartment , to form a sort of couch , upon which , half seated , half reclined , she resolved to pass the night in as close attendance upon her mistress as circumstances permitted . Thus seated , her eye on the pale planet which sailed in full glory through the blue sky of midnight , she proposed to herself that sleep should not visit her eyelids till the dawn of morning should assure her of Eveline 's safety . Her thoughts , meanwhile , rested on the boundless and shadowy world beyond the grave , and on the great and perhaps yet undecided question , whether the separation of its inhabitants from those of this temporal sphere is absolute and decided , or whether , influenced by motives which we can not appreciate , they continue to hold shadowy communication with those yet existing in earthly reality of flesh and blood ? To have denied this , would , in the age of crusades and of miracles , have incurred the guilt of heresy ; but Rose 's firm good sense led her to doubt at least the frequency of supernatural interference , and she comforted herself with an opinion , contradicted , however , by her own involuntary starts and shudderings at every leaf which moved , that , in submitting to the performance of the rite imposed on her , Eveline incurred no real danger , and only sacrificed to an obsolete family superstition . As this conviction strengthened on Rose 's mind , her purpose of vigilance began to decline -- her thoughts wandered to objects towards which they were not directed , like sheep which stray beyond the charge of their shepherd -- her eyes no longer brought back to her a distinct apprehension of the broad , round , silvery orb on which they continued to gaze .