midnight
nothing but a simple echo among the nooks and crannies of the castle ; and at a simple echo his cheek had turned pale and his heart had stood still , and his hands had actually trembled ! He scorned himself bitterly for his cowardice ; and once more , relieved in mind and humbled in spirit , set out on his night watch , determined this time that nothing , not even a score of ghosts , should terrify him . And now the night began to wear on . By this time the men must be very near their rendezvous , for it was an hour past midnight , and the moon was getting down towards the west . He wondered what other clans would muster round the royal standard , and how soon the king 's forces would be likely to meet the enemy . This time to-morrow he would be with his men ; that is , provided the general permitted ten of them to return and relieve guard here . Supposing no one came !