midnight
I lived upon an earth whose diminished population a child 's arithmetic might number ; I had lived through long months with death stalking close at my side , while at intervals the shadow of his skeleton-shape darkened my path . I had believed that I despised the grim phantom , and laughed his power to scorn . Any other fate I should have met with courage , nay , have gone out gallantly to encounter . But to be murdered thus at the midnight hour by cold-blooded assassins , no friendly hand to close my eyes , or receive my parting blessing -- to die in combat , hate and execration -- ah , why , my angel love , didst thou restore me to life , when already I had stepped within the portals of the tomb , now that so soon again I was to be flung back a mangled corpse ! Hours passed -- centuries . Could I give words to the many thoughts which occupied me in endless succession during this interval , I should fill volumes . The air was dank , the dungeon-floor mildewed and icy cold ; hunger came upon me too , and no sound reached me from without .