midnight
There was an intense bitterness in the way in which he brought out Lewis 's name . Unconsciously the jury began to be influenced by it , and to look at Lewis each time he was referred to with undisguised aversion . ` Yet how this simple incident is magnified and invested with importance and mystery by the other side -- by Lewis and his friends ! They tell you how the servant awoke at midnight -- you know it is an absurd trifle , but the word `` midnight '' sounds so much more solemn and dreadful than the words `` twelve o'clock p.m. '' -- how she woke at midnight and heard a door open -- as if people did n't always open doors when they wanted to go out ! How she got up quietly -- perhaps you may be inclined to say treacherously -- and stole downstairs . How she had recognised the footsteps as those of Miss Owen . How she heard the front-door go , and finally found it unfastened , except for the latch .