midnight
Still the shifting back and forth of the thinning ranks of the peripatetic youth went on , and laughter and talk resounded from the court-house steps . At intervals the telescope was deserted ; the motionless trees were bright with the moon and glossy with the dew . The voice of guard-dogs was now and again reverberated from the hills . The languid sense of a late hour had dulled the pulses , and when Justus Hoxon turned back to earth it was to an almost depopulated scene , the realization of the approach of midnight , and the sight of Theodosia sitting alone in the moonlight on the steps of the east door of the court-house , waiting for him with a touching patience , as it seemed to him at the moment . `` Air you-uns waitin ' fur me , ` Dosia , all by yerse ` f ? '' he demanded hastily , with a contrite intonation . `` I _ ` pear _ to be all by myse ` f , '' she said , with a playful feigning of uncertainty , glancing about her .