about
midnight
How boldly she met his attack , unforeseen as it was , how bravely she shielded her other and dearer self , how deftly she made use of the chance which the young man 's soberer sense afforded her , will be remembered . But not even in that pinch , no , nor in that worse hour when Basterga , having discovered his knowledge to her , gave her -- as a cat plays with a mouse which it is presently to tear to pieces -- a little law and a little space , did she come so near to despair as on this evening when the echo of her mother 's insane laughter drew her from the living-room at an hour without precedent . For hitherto Madame Royaume 's attacks had come on in the night only . With a regularity not unknown in the morbid world they occurred about midnight , an hour when her daughter could attend to her and when the house below lay wrapped in sleep . A change in this respect doubled the danger , therefore . It did more : the prospect of being summoned at any hour shook , if it did not break , the last remains of Anne 's strength . To be liable at all times to such interruptions , to tremble while serving a meal or making a bed lest the dreadful sound arise and reveal all , to listen below and above and never to feel safe for a minute , never !