midnight
Its occupant made no exclamation of surprise ; in fact , she moved back upon the other side of the seat in the darkness , as though to make room for me ! I was absorbed in a personal puzzle . Here was I , messenger upon some important errand , as I might guess . But white satin and a midnight adventure -- at least , a gentleman might bow and ask if he could be of assistance ! A dark framed face , whose outlines I could only dimly see in the faint light of the street lamp , leaned toward me . The same small hand nervously reached out , as though in request . I now very naturally stepped closer .