midnight
When the pleasant impromptu meal was over , even the Senora had eaten and drunk with enjoyment . Then Luis set the table behind them , and they drew closer to the fire , Luis holding Isabel 's hand , and Antonia her mother 's . The Senora took a cigarette from Luis , and Isabel sometimes put that of Luis between her rosy lips . At the dark , cold midnight they found an hour or two of sweetest consolation . It was indeed hard to weary these three heart-starved women ; they asked question after question , and when any brought out the comical side of camp life they forget their pleasure was almost a clandestine one , and laughed outright . In the very midst of such a laugh , Rachela entered the room . She stood in speechless amazement , gazing with a dark , malicious face upon the happy group .