nearly midnight
He turned with startled eyes . Then , with the impulse of a man escaping from something which he is not strong enough to face , he reached the door in two quick strides , and went out without looking back . Matilde watched the door , as it closed , and stood still a few seconds before she left the room . Her eyes wandered to the clock , and she saw that it was nearly midnight . The look of triumph faded slowly from her face , and the brows contracted in a look which no one could easily have understood , except Bosio himself , perhaps , had he still been there . The smooth lips were drawn in and tightly compressed ; and she held her breath , while her right hand strained upon her left with all her might . Then the lips parted with a sort of little snap as she drew breath again ; and she turned her head suddenly , and looked behind her , growing a trifle paler , as though she expected to see something startling .