a
quarter past midnight
`` Are you certain that your watch is not fast ? '' she asked . In speechless bewilderment Howland stared at her . `` Because it will mean a great deal to you and to me if it is not a quarter past midnight , '' continued Meleese , a growing glow in her eyes . Suddenly she approached him and put both of her warm hands to his face , holding down his arms with her own . `` Listen , '' she whispered . `` Is there nothing -- nothing that will make you change your purpose , that will take you back into the South -- to-night ? ''