an hour
after midnight
The golden hands of the parlor clock point glimmeringly to an hour after midnight , and the house is still . The gas is turned almost out , but the flickering of the dying sea-coal fire in the grate fitfully illumines the forms and faces of two young women , who are seated before it , talking earnestly in low tones . It is apparent from their costumes that they have been spending the evening out . The fair girl in the low chair , gazing pensively into the fire , is Maud Elliott , the daughter of the house .