midnight
`` If you 'll just kiss me and hush preaching to me I 'll be entirely satisfied and ready to die as soon as I have lifted that fifty thousand out of old Jeffries with the judge 's and the Reverend Gregory 's garden and done a few more commissions . Try kissing me and see if you do n't feel more cheerful , '' Nickols answered with a laugh , as he drew me close to him . I sadly shut up the doors of my depths , warded off the kiss -- why , I did n't know -- and persuaded him to go up to his rooms which I had seen Sallie and Dabney put in order that afternoon . It was midnight when I parted with Nickols at the head of the old winding stairs in the fragrant darkness , lit only by the silver light of the night from a long window at the front of the hall . He held me close for a half second as he whispered : `` Let me make you happy . I understand . '' `` I do n't understand , and until I do I 'd make you miserable , dear , '' I whispered back as I drew myself out of his reluctant arms and went into my own door .