Besides these, there were others of the royal attendants, bearing torches, who walked from place to place, and compelled all loiterers in dark corners to proceed to the nave.
A little before midnight, the great doors were again thrown open, and a large troop of richly-attired personages, all wearing masks, were admitted.

For a short time they paced to and fro between its shafted pillars gazing at the spectators grouped around, and evidently, from their jests and laughter, not a little entertained by the scene.

As the clock struck twelve, however, all sounds were hushed, and the courtly party stationed themselves on the steps leading to the choir.

At the same moment, also, the torches were extinguished, and the whole of the building buried in profound darkness.

Presently after, a sound was heard of footsteps approaching the nave, but nothing could be discerned.
Expectation was kept on the rack for some minutes, during which many a stifled cry was heard from those whose courage failed them at this trying juncture.