midnight
On this point he never speaks plainly ; and the question is , whether it be not a mere fancy that he took any part in the death of his wife and child . He now returns to painting marble ; and this very night he will finish the altar . This puts him in a good-humour , and you may learn something about this critical affair from his own mouth . '' I must confess that the thought of passing midnight in the church alone with Berthold made me shudder a little , now I had read his history . I thought that there might be a little of the devil in him in spite of his good-humour and frank deportment ; and I chose rather to be in his company that very noon in the clear sunlight . I found him upon the scaffold , reserved and in an ill-humour , painting the veins of marble . Climbing up to him , I reached him the pots , while he stared at me with amazement .