midnight
And yet she knew that she was listening -- listening in dread -- for a footstep in the house . That again was absurd . Arthur was staying with friends on the further side of the country , and was to leave them after dinner by motor . He could not be home till close on midnight ; and there would be no chance of her seeing him -- unless she sent for him -- till the following morning , after the arrival of the letter . _ Then _ -- she must face him . But still the footstep haunted her imagination , and the remembrance of him as he had stood , light and buoyant , on the floor of the House of Commons , making his maiden speech . In April -- and this was July .