midnight
The south wind had , indeed , blown itself cut , and it was succeeded by the calmness that usually gave warning of a serious change in the weather . Long before the family retired to rest , the cold had become cuttingly severe ; and when Monsieur Le Quoi sallied c forth under a bright moon , to seek his own abode , he was compelled to beg a blanket , in which he might envelop c his form , in addition to the numerous garments that his sagacity had provided for the occasion . The divine and his daughter remained as inmates of the mansion-house during the night , and the excess of last night 's merriment c induced the gentlemen to make an early retreat to their several apartments . Long before midnight , the whole family were invisible . Elizabeth and her friend had not yet lost their senses in sleep , and the howlings of the northwest wind were heard around the buildings , and brought with them that exquisite sense of comfort that is ever excited under such circumstances , in an apartment where the fire has not yet ceased to glimmer , and curtains , and shutters , and feathers unite to preserve the desired temperature . Once , just as her eyes had opened , apparently in the last stage of drowsiness , the roaring winds brought with them a long and plaintive howl , that seemed too wild for a dog , and yet resembled the cries of that faithful animal , when night awakens his vigilance , and gives sweetness and solemnity to its charms . The form of Louis Grant instinctively pressed nearer to that of the young heiress , who , finding her companion was yet awake , said in a low tone , as if afraid to break a charm with her voice : `` Those distant cries are plaintive , and even beautiful .