midnight
Well then , while the supposed Garrigou -LRB- hum ! -RRB- was with all his might making the bells of the baronial chapel chime out , his reverence was putting on his chasuble in the little sacristy of the château ; and with his mind already agitated by all these gastronomic descriptions , he kept saying to himself as he was robing : `` Roasted turkeys , ... golden carp , ... trout as big as that ! ... '' Out of doors , the soughing night wind was carrying abroad the music of the bells , and with this , lights began to make their appearance on the dark sides of Mount Ventoux , on the summit of which rose the ancient towers of Trinquelague . The lights were borne by the families of the tenant farmers , who were coming to hear the midnight mass at the château . They were scaling the hill in groups of five or six together , and singing ; the father in front carrying a lantern , and the women wrapped up in large brown cloaks , beneath which their little children snuggled and sheltered . In spite of the cold and the lateness of the hour these good folks were marching blithely along , cheered by the thought that after the mass was over there would be , as always in former years , tables set for them down in the kitchens . Occasionally the glass windows in some lord 's carriage , preceded by torch-bearers , would glisten in the moon-light on the rough ascent ; or perhaps a mule would jog by with tinkling bells , and by the light of the misty lanterns the tenants would recognize their bailiff and would salute him as he passed with : `` Good evening , Master Arnoton . ''