midnight
So Stephen Gard 's hiding-place had proved effective , and they had not found him . But , of a certainty , he must be starving , and so away home sped Nance , to prepare a parcel of food to take across to him . And Julie , her black brows pinched together and her face set in a frown of venomous intention , never once let her out of her sight . It was after midnight when Nance stole across the fields , carrying her little parcel and her swimming-bladders , and made her way to Brenière point . It was a still night , with a sky full of stars , and her heart was high for the moment , though when her thoughts ran on , in spite of her , it fell again . For things could not go on this way for ever , and she saw no way out . She dropped her outer things by a bush , and let herself quietly down the rocks and into the water , and the black-faced woman who presently stood by that bush snarled curses after her and was filled with unholy exultation .