midnight
If they were to take offence to-morrow I should have them -- the beauties -- all safe . ' She came towards him , her _ bizarre _ little figure swaying from side to side , her eyes glittering , her restless hands pulling at the lace round her blanched head and face . The squire , his hands behind him , looked at her frowning , an involuntary horror dawning on his dark countenance , turned abruptly , and left the room . * * * * * Mr. Wendover worked till midnight ; then , tired out , he turned to the bit of fire to which , in spite of the oppressiveness of the weather , the chilliness of age and nervous strain had led him to set a light . He sat there for long , sunk in the blackest reverie . He was the only living creature in the great library wing which spread around and above him -- the only waking creature in the whole vast pile of Murewell . The silver lamps shone with a steady melancholy light on the chequered walls of books .