midnight
There seemed hope in the burden ; and in that brotherly service a promise of expiation for another still more sacred service which had been denied him ! He tramped down that long gradual slope in a contented dream , halting often to rest , but never losing heart . Percy , too exhausted to remonstrate , yielded himself gratefully , and lay only half conscious in his protector 's arms , often fancying himself at home in bed or lolling idly in the summer fields . It may have been midnight , or later still , when Jeffreys , looking beyond the shadows projected by the moon in front of him , perceived a gleam of light far down in the valley . `` Probably , '' thought he , `` some honest shepherd , after his day 's work , is happily going to rest . Think of a bed , and a pillow , and a blanket ! '' But no , the light -- the lights , there were two -- were moving -- moving rapidly and evenly .