midnight
They brought her a tempting little repast ; but she pushed the tea-tray from her , leaving its contents untasted . She felt that food would have choked her . The sun went down , and the moon rose clear and bright over the distant hills . One by one the lights in the Varrick mansion went out , and the clock in the adjacent steeple struck the hours until midnight . Still Gerelda Northrup paced up and down the narrow room , intent upon her own dark thoughts . One o'clock chimed from the steeple , and another hour rolled slowly by ; then suddenly she stopped short , and crossed the room to where her satchel lay on the wide window-sill . Opening it , she drew from it a small vial containing white , glistening crystals , and hid it nervously in her bosom ; then , with trembling feet , she recrossed the room , opened her door , and peered breathlessly out into the dimly lighted corridor .