midnight
In this state of uncertainty I may claim the merit of having arrived , so far as my own future conduct was concerned , at one positive conclusion . As strangers he and I had first met . As strangers I was determined we should remain . Having made up my mind , so far , the next thing to do -LRB- with the clock on the mantel-piece striking midnight -RRB- was to go to bed . I slept badly . The events that had happened , since my arrival in England , had excited me I suppose . Now and then , in the wakeful hours of the night , I thought of Cristel with some anxiety .