midnight
I knew that I was in love -- veritably so much in love as to feel that without this woman , be she what she might , by my side my future must be absolutely barren . It was presently apparent that she did not mean to stay as long on this occasion as on the last . When the castle clock struck midnight she suddenly sprang to her feet with a bound , saying : `` I must go ! There is midnight ! '' I rose at once , the intensity of her speech having instantly obliterated the sleep which , under the influence of rest and warmth , was creeping upon me . Once more she was in a frenzy of haste , so I hurried towards the window , but as I looked back saw her , despite her haste , still standing . I motioned towards the screen , and slipping behind the curtain , opened the window and went out on the terrace .