midnight
I did not mention the incident , I was so fearful of destroying her confidence in me . Apologizing , therefore , for my interruption , without explaining it , I begged her to let me hear her plan . It was simple enough . There was no fear of the others returning before midnight ; the chances were that they would be very much later ; and now it was barely eleven , and Eva had promised not to stay out above half-an-hour . When it was up Jose would come and call her . `` It is horrid to have to be so cunning ! '' cried little Eva , with an angry shudder ; `` but it 's no use thinking of that , '' she was quick enough to add , `` when you have such dreadful men to deal with , such fiends !