midnight
`` Why should n't I ? '' `` Influence ! The likes of him ! -- Gypsy blood at midnight -- soft-voiced , murderous -- '' She gave no coherent answer , but smiled always , then leaned forward and stroked Mrs. Benson upon her personable cheek . `` Dear old thing , let me do as I like . It 's much better for everybody , '' she presently said . It had clouded over after sunset : there was no moon visible , but an irradiance was omnipresent , and showed the muffled yew-tree walks , and the greater trees colossal , mountains overshadowing the land .