midnight
You _ did _ come between us , Fan , in a way that his wholly corrupt soul would never understand . But you could not have done me a greater service than that -- no , not if you had spilt your heart 's blood for me . You have repaid me for all that I have done , or ever can do for you , and have made me your debtor besides for the rest of my life . '' That midnight interview with her mistress had thereafter a very bright and beautiful place in Fan 's memory , and still thinking of it she would sometimes lie awake for hours , wishing and hoping that Mary would come to her again in one of her tender moods . But it did not happen again ; for Mary was not one to recover quickly from such a wound as she had suffered , and she still brooded , wrapped up in her own thoughts , dreaming perhaps of revenge . And in the meantime bitter blustering March wore on to its end , the sun daily gaining power ; and then , all at once , it was April , with sunshine and showers ; and some heavenly angel passed by and touched the brown old desolate elms in Kensington Gardens with tenderest green ; and as by a miracle the baskets of the flower-girls in Westbourne Grove were filled to overflowing with spring flowers -- pale primroses that die unmarried ; and daffodils that come before the swallow dares , shining like gold ; and violets dim , but sweeter than the lids of Juno 's eyes , or Cytherea 's breath . One afternoon , returning from Westbourne Grove , where she had been out to buy flowers for the table , on coming into the hall , Fan was surprised to hear Miss Starbrow in the dining-room talking to a stranger , with a cheerful ring in her voice , which had not been heard for many weeks .