midnight
You can never win her , '' he added , contemptuously . `` She knows all about that African affair . '' Saint-Prosper started violently , but in a moment Mauville 's expression changed , and he appeared plunged in thought . `` The last time I saw her , '' he said , half to himself , `` she was dressed in black -- her face as noonday -- her hair black as midnight -- crowning her with languorous allurement ! '' He repeated the last word several times like a man in a dream . `` Allurement ! allurement ! ''