midnight
The walls were of solid rock , and in one corner was a small grating of four iron bars , which admitted light and air , but precluded all hope of escape in that quarter . The door was secured , and no means of egress presented itself . Her eye rested on her lamp , and a smile lit up the dark countenance of the prisoner . She threw herself on her bed : slowly the hours rolled -- midnight came at last . She rose and listened -- no stir , no sound of life reached her : she glanced at her lamp , now dim -- the light was waning , and softly stepping across the room , she drew from a basket several bundles of paper . These she tore in pieces , and placing them beside the door , drew the lamp near . Inez carefully twisted up her long black hair , and placed on her head a broad sombrero , which the Don had worn of late ; then taking his Mexican blanket , she slipped her head through the opening , and suffered it to fall to her feet .