midnight
Two more days passed , and still Isopel Berners did not return . Gloomy thoughts and forebodings filled my mind . During the day I wandered about the neighbouring roads in the hopes of catching an early glimpse of her and her returning vehicle ; and at night lay awake , tossing about on my hard couch , listening to the rustle of every leaf , and occasionally thinking that I heard the sound of her wheels upon the distant road . Once at midnight , just as I was about to fall into unconsciousness , I suddenly started up , for I was convinced that I heard the sound of wheels . I listened most anxiously , and the sound of wheels striking against stones was certainly plain enough . `` She comes at last , '' thought I , and for a few moments I felt as if a mountain had been removed from my breast ; -- `` here she comes at last , now , how shall I receive her ? Oh , '' thought I , `` I will receive her rather coolly , just as if I was not particularly anxious about her -- that 's the way to manage these women . ''