midnight
Yes , dear , '' answered Clayton , divining her thoughts ; `` whenever you wish . '' After that she grew calmer , and remained quiet so long that she seemed to have fallen asleep like a tired child relieved of its fears . Leaning forward , he looked into the darkness . It was after midnight , surely . The clouds had become lighter , more luminous , and gradually the moon broke through them , lifting the pall from the valley , playing about the edge of the forest , and quivering at last on the window . As he bent back to look at the sleeping girl , the moonlight fell softly upon her face , revealing its purity of color , and touching the loosened folds of her hair , and shining through a tear-drop which had escaped from her closed lashes . How lovely the face was !