midnight
`` Mr. Vandeford 's a complete fool , '' was on the tip of Miss Lindsey 's tongue , but she remembered her main chance , which was the favor of Mr. Godfrey Vandeford , and said instead : `` I wish you would let me see a copy of the play as you wrote it . Have you one ? '' `` I have , in my trunk , and I 'll read it to you , '' answered Miss Adair , and in defensive pride she produced a copy of `` The Purple Slipper , '' which bore the unexpurgated title of `` The Renunciation of Rosalind , '' and proceeded to read it to Miss Lindsey , with both fire and tragedy in her voice . The operation occupied the two hours before midnight , and Miss Lindsey lay prostrate when it was finished . `` Now , what do you think ? '' demanded Miss Adair . `` I wish I could have had the making of it over , and for myself instead of Hawtry .