midnight
She had something to do , something from which she shrank with a strange reluctance , yet which for her peace of mind she dared not leave neglected . It was thus she expressed it to herself as with trembling fingers she opened the box that contained all her sacred personal treasures . It lay beneath them all , wrapped in tissue-paper , as it had passed from his hand to hers , and for long she strove to bring herself to slip the tiny packet unopened into an envelope and seal it down -- yet could not . At last -- it was towards midnight -- she yielded to the force that compelled . Against her will she unfolded the shielding paper and held that which it contained upon the palm of her hand . Burning rubies , red as heart 's blood , ardent as flame , flashed and glinted in the lamp-light . `` OMNIA VINCIT AMOR '' -- how the words scorched her memory !