midnight before
But we do n't wish to lose you . You must keep your promise and come to Oakdale this summer . '' `` I will , '' promised Elfreda ; `` and now suppose we have one last sad tea party . '' It was almost midnight before Miriam and Elfreda went softly down the oppressively quiet hall to their room . `` Are you happy , Anne ? '' asked Grace , slipping her arm about her friend and drawing her to the window where , dark against the moonlit sky , rose the tower of Overton Hall . `` Almost too happy for words , and yet I dread leaving Overton . ''