midnight
Racicot told stories of the chase : of trapped bears struggling and growling so fiercely at the sight of the trapper that he loses courage and falls a-trembling ; and then , giving up suddenly when the hunters come in force and the deadly guns are aimed -- giving up , covering their heads with their paws and whimpering with groans and outcries almost human , very heart-rending and pitiful . After these tales came others of ghosts and apparitions ; of blood-curdling visitations or solemn warnings to men who had blasphemed or spoken ill of the priests . Then , as no one could be persuaded to sing , they played at cards and the conversation dropped to more commonplace themes . The only memory that Maria carried away of the later talk , as the sleigh bore them homeward through the midnight woods , was of Lorenzo Surprenant extolling the United States and the magnificence of its great cities , the easy and pleasant life , the never-ending spectacle of the fine straight streets flooded with light at evening . Before she departed Lorenzo said in quiet tones , almost in her ear . -- `` To-morrow is Sunday ; I shall be over to see you in the afternoon . '' A few short hours of night , a morning of sunlight on the snow , and again he is by her side renewing his tale of wonders , his interrupted plea .