midnight
He let his arms fall and gazed mournfully into her face , but she turned away and silently left the room . Peter Van der Werff did not follow her , but went quietly into his study and strove to reflect upon many things , that concerned his office , but his thoughts constantly reverted to Maria . His love oppressed him as if it were a crime , and he seemed to himself like a courier , who gathers flowers by the way-side and in this idling squanders time and forgets the object of his mission . His heart felt unspeakably heavy and sad , and it seemed almost like a deliverance when , just before midnight , the bell in the Tower of Pancratius raised its evilboding voice . In danger , he knew , he would feel and think of nothing except what duty required of him , so with renewed strength he took his hat from the hook and left the house with a steady step . In the street he met Junker Van Duivenvoorde , who summoned him to the Hohenort Gate , before which a body of Englishmen had again appeared ; a few brave soldiers who , in a fierce , bloody combat , had held Alfen and the Gouda sluice against the Spaniards until their powder was exhausted and necessity compelled them to yield or seek safety in flight . The burgomaster followed the officer and ordered the gates to be opened to the brave soldiers .