midnight
She hurriedly dried her eyes and arranged her dress , tossing the reliquary and its broken chain on the table . Some new guests ; and the inn was none too large . She would have the landlord flayed if he dared to intrude on the privacy which she had commanded . Nay , she would summon her people that instant and set off for home , for her company was strong enough to give security in the midnight forests . She was about to blow a little silver whistle to call her steward when a step at the door halted her . A figure entered , a stranger . It was a tall stripling , half armed like one who is not for battle but expects a brush at any corner of the road .