midnight before
Inform that lady that my mother will go to her ; tell her to expect the visit . '' As soon as it was dark Veronique , leaning on her mother 's arm , walked slowly through the park to the chalet . The moon was shining with all its brilliancy , the air was soft , and the two women , visibly affected , found encouragement , of a sort , in the things of nature . The mother stopped now and then , to rest her daughter , whose sufferings were poignant , so that it was well-nigh midnight before they reached the path that goes down from the woods to the sloping meadow where the silvery roof of the chalet shone . The moonlight gave to the surface of the quiet water , the tint of pearls . The little noises of the night , echoing in the silence , made softest harmony . Veronique sat down on the bench of the chalet , amid this beauteous scene of the starry night .