midnight
He told him of a woman , young and very beautiful . The captain 's knees began to tremble ; he sat helplessly on the step of the carriage , and fumbled in his pocket for a cigarette . Pan Ponyatsky warned him that he must not strike a light . In the distance could be heard the roar of cannon , like an approaching midnight storm . Kremnev had never felt such a throbbing joy as he felt now , sitting on the carriage step . Pan Ponyatsky repeated that she was a beauty , and waiting -- that the captain must not delay ; and led him through the dark corridor of the train . The carriage smelt of men and leather ; behind the doors of the compartments echoed a sound of laughter from those who were playing cards .