midnight
She got into bed , but the thought stayed with her . It was to come back again many years afterwards , illuminating . That night she heard steps about the house -- her father 's heavy steps -- but she felt tired , and fell asleep . It was midnight when her father opened her door and came into the room . `` Marcella , are you asleep ? '' he said in his beautiful voice that always made her wish he would let her love him . `` No , '' she said , starting to wakefulness .