midnight
`` Come , '' he said . He went to her roughly and took the helmet from her head , and the shield , and the spear ; she standing there heedless with her arms across her face . They fell to the floor with a crash , first one , then the other , and the sound was like a blow , repeating itself in loud echoes . `` Go and take off your things , '' he said hurriedly , `` It is midnight -- past , and the watchman is waiting to lock the stage door . Rouse yourself -- go ! I will wait for you here . '' He heard the sound of her footsteps crossing the stage , ascending the stair-case ; and he walked backwards and forwards , forwards and backwards , in and out among the rocks and the trees .