midnight
`` Jovial , stop a moment ! Mrs. Brudenell , I have surely some little authority in my husband 's house ; authority that I should be ashamed to claim in the presence of his mother , were it not to be exercised in the cause of humanity . This girl must not leave the house to-night , '' said Berenice respectfully , but firmly . `` Lady Hurstmonceux , if you did but know what excellent cause you have to loathe that creature , you would not oppose my orders respecting her ; if you keep her under your roof this night you degrade yourself ; and , finally , if she does not leave the house at once I and my daughters must -- midnight and snow-storm , notwithstanding . We are not accustomed to domicile with such wretches , '' said the old lady grimly . Berenice was not prepared for this extreme issue ; Mrs. Brudenell 's threat of departing with her daughters at midnight , and in the storm , shocked and alarmed her ; and the other words reawakened her jealous misgivings . Dropping the hand that she had laid protectingly upon Nora 's shoulder , she said : `` It shall be as you please , madam .