midnight
Handsome she was not , certainly ; but so sweet and good ; and that her own beauty -LRB- if she was aware that she possessed any -RRB- could have any weight with Tom , she would have considered as an insult to his sense ; so she made up her mind slowly , but steadily , that thus it was to be ; and every fresh proof of Mary 's sweetness and goodness was a fresh pang to her , for it showed the more how probable it was that Tom loved her . Therefore she answered all Mary 's questions carefully and honestly , as to a person who had a right to ask ; and at last went to her bed , and , worn out in body and mind , was asleep in a moment . She had not remarked the sigh which escaped Mary , as she glanced at that beautiful head , and the long black tresses which streamed down for a moment over the white shoulders ere they were knotted back for the night , and then at her own poor countenance in the glass opposite . * * * * * It was long past midnight when Grace woke , she knew not how , and looking up , saw a light in the room , and Mary sitting still over a book , her head resting on her hands . She lay quiet and thought she heard a sob . She was sure she heard tears drop on the paper . She stirred , and Mary was at her side in a moment .