midnight
A few nights later it left the mignonette behind , and advanced into the beds of white iris that pushed more boldly forth from the earth , their waxen petals claiming the attention . It advanced then a long step into the proud , challenging beauty of the carnations and roses ; and at last , after many nights , Vanamee felt that it paused , as if trembling at its hardihood , full in the superb glory of the royal lilies themselves , that grew on the extreme border of the Seed ranch nearest to him . After this , there was a certain long wait . Then , upon a dark midnight , it advanced again . Vanamee could scarcely repress a cry . Now , the illusion emerged from the flowers . It stood , not distant , but unseen , almost at the base of the hill upon whose crest he waited , in a depression of the ground where the shadows lay thickest .