midnight
It seemed to me the more I tried to keep out of his way the more fate would compel me to go near him . Hal was very busy , and it seemed as if Clara had never spent so much time in her own room as now , when I needed her so much . Mother was not well , and every afternoon took a long nap , so I was left down stairs , and no matter which side of the house I was in he was sure to find me . The third day after his arrival he renewed his pleading , trying first to compliment me , saying : `` What a royal woman you are , and how queenly you look with your massive braids of midnight hair fastened with such an exquisite comb ! '' -LRB- Louis ' gift -RRB- . `` Midnight hair , '' I said . `` I 've seen many a midnight when I could read in its moonlight ; black as a crow would be nearer the truth , '' and I laughed .