Midnight
Naturally enough , she connected this change in her daughter 's mind with the letter received from Mr. Lyon , and it showed her but too plainly that the stranger 's image was fixing itself surely in the young girl 's heart . This conviction gave her pain rather than pleasure . She , too , had felt that quick repulsion towards Mr. Lyon , at their first meeting , to which we have referred ; and with her , no after acquaintance ever wholly removed the effect of a first experience like this . Midnight , as we have said , found her wakeful and thoughtful . The real cause of her husband 's absence was unknown to her ; but , connecting itself , as it did , with Mr. Lyon , -- he had written her that certain business , which he had engaged to transact for Mr. Lyon , required his presence in New York , -- and following so soon upon his singularly restless and dissatisfied state of mind , the fact disquieted her . The shadow of an approaching change was dimming the cheerful light of her spirit . Scarcely a moment since the reception of her husband 's letter , enclosing one for Fanny , was the fact that Mr. Lyon had made advances toward her daughter -- yet far too young to have her mind bewildered by love 's mazy dream -- absent from her mind .