midnight
But my thoughts were of other matters . Catherine sat beside me , arranging Easter gifts for the poor ; and I , though awkwardly , attempted to assist her . Twilight was drawing on , and the day was stormy for the season , for the snow fell , and the wind whirled round the drift in fantastic columns ; but with us , the fire blazed blithely , mingling its light with the fading day , and though the storm raged without , and Sir William seemed ready to sink into melancholy , I was happy -- more than happy . But attend , Lewis , for I never told you this ; at the very moment when my happiness seemed tranquil as the rays of a summer moon at midnight , showering them on a mountain and casting its deep , silent shadow on a lake , as though it revealed beneath the waters a bronzed and a silent world , the trampling of a horse 's feet was heard at the gate . I looked towards the narrow window . A blackish-brown , shaggy animal attempted to trot towards the door . It had rough hanging ears , a round form , and hollow back ; and a tall lathy-looking figure , dismounting from it , gave the bridle to Sir William 's groom , and uttered his orders respecting it , notwithstanding of the storm , with the slowness and solemnity of a judge .