midnight
Some noise had startled her from sleep . She sat up , and put her hair -LRB- still wet with tears -RRB- back from her flushed cheeks , and listened . At first she could only hear her beating heart . All was still without , for it was after midnight , such hours of agony had passed away ; but the moon shone clearly in at the unshuttered window , making the room almost as light as day , in its cold ghastly radiance . There was a low knock at the door ! A strange feeling crept over Mary 's heart , as if something spiritual were near ; as if the dead , so lately present in her dreams , were yet gliding and hovering round her , with their dim , dread forms . And yet , why dread ?