midnight
`` I fear you will never love me , Lucia , '' whispered Paullus in her ear , unheard amid the clash of knives and flagons , and the pealing of a fresh strain of music , which ushered in the king of fish , the grand conger , garnished with prawns and soused in pungent sauce . `` Wherefore not ? '' she replied , meeting his eye with a furtive sidelong glance . `` Because I , for one , had rather watch till midnight fifty times , in the hope only of clasping Lucia , once , in my embrace ; than once until dawn , to kill fifty boars of Umbria . '' She made no answer ; but looked up into his face as if to see whether he was in earnest , with an affectionate and pleading glance ; and then pressed her unsandalled foot against his . A moment or two afterward , he perceived the embroidered table cover had been drawn up , with the intent of protecting her dress from the sauces of the fish which she was eating , in such a manner as to conceal the greater part of her person . Observing this , and excited beyond all restraint of ordinary prudence , by the consciousness of her manner , he profited by the chance to steal his arm about her waist ; and to his surprise , almost as much as his delight , he felt his hand clasped instantly in hers , and pressed upon her throbbing heart .