midnight
He was gone , and it was evident that the others no longer feared me ; for while I gazed the landlord came out to them with another lanthorn swinging in his hand , and said something to the lady , and she looked up at my window and laughed . It was a warm night , and she wore nothing over her white dress . I could see her tall , shapely figure and shining eyes , and the firm contour of her beautiful face , which , if any fault might be found with it , erred in being too regular . She looked like a woman formed by nature to meet dangers and difficulties , and to play a great part ; even here , at midnight , in the midst of these desperate men , she did not seem out of place . I could fancy -- I did not find it impossible to fancy -- that under her queenly exterior , and behind the contemptuous laugh with which she heard the landlord 's story , there lurked a woman 's soul , a soul capable of folly and tenderness . But no outward sign betrayed its presence -- as I saw her then . I scanned her very carefully ; and secretly , if the truth be told , I was glad to find that Madame de Cocheforet was such a woman .