midnight
`` Invented it ? For what purpose ? '' `` He has an idea of being romantic . He has adopted the habit of coming to see me at midnight -- passing only through the orchard and through Felix 's painting-room , which has a door opening that way . It seems to amuse him , '' added Eugenia , with a little laugh . Acton felt more surprise than he confessed to , for this was a new view of Clifford , whose irregularities had hitherto been quite without the romantic element . He tried to laugh again , but he felt rather too serious , and after a moment 's hesitation his seriousness explained itself .