midnight
We returned home late , a storm had risen , and I had scarcely reached my dwelling than the rain began to pour down . About midnight the sky cleared up , and the thunder only murmured in the distance . Through the open windows the warm air , laden with scents , entered the room , and though I was weary I could not resist the temptation to take a walk . I succeeded in waking the surly man-servant , who had been snoring for about two hours ; and in showing him that there was no madness in walking at midnight . Soon I found myself in the street . When I passed the Jesuits ' church , I was struck by the dazzling light that beamed through a window . The little side-door was ajar , so I entered and saw a wax-taper burning before a niche .