midnight
As Alfonso spoke these words , he sat with Christine 's hand in his own , looking inquiringly into her blue eyes for her answer . Her face flushed and she was speechless . Alfonso , dropping her hand , said in a kindly voice , `` For years I have kept pure and sought to be worthy of you , and fortune has smiled upon me ; I could now match gold with gold , but when I demand purity for purity your silence and your blushes condemn you , and I must bid you a final farewell . '' Christine could not answer , and as Alfonso left the house , she fell weeping upon the sofa , where her sister Fredrika found her , long past midnight . The terrible sorrow of that evening remained forever a mystery to Fredrika . It was 10 o'clock next morning when the marquis called upon Alfonso Harris at the Hotel Holland . He found him busy answering important letters from the coast .