midnight
For her , Geneva might have lain at peace , the night been as other nights , the house below been heavy with the breathing of tired sleepers . She looked neither to the right nor the left , until under her loving hands Madame Royaume revived , opened her eyes and smiled -- the smile she had for one face only in the world . By that time Anne had lost count of the time . It might be hard on morning , it might be a little after midnight . One thing only was clear , the lamp required oil , and to get it she must descend to the ground floor . She opened the door and listened , wondering dully how the conflict had gone . She had lost count of that also .