About midnight
cried my mother after me ; but tormented by restlessness , and an inward anguish perfectly indescribable , I could not close my eyes . The hateful , abominable Coppelius stood before me with fiery eyes , and laughed at me maliciously . It was in vain that I endeavoured to get rid of his image . About midnight there was a frightful noise , like the firing of a gun . The whole house resounded . There was a rattling and a rustling by my door , and the house-door was closed with a violent sound . `` That is Coppelius ! ''