midnight
A vague comprehension of the understanding the upper servants of a household acquire as to the inner life of the family stirred in him ; how much they knew and concealed under their impassive service . When Natalie came down the staircase a few minutes later she was swathed in her chinchilla evening wrap , and she watched his face , after her custom when she expected to annoy him , with the furtive look that he had grown to associate with some unpleasantness . `` I hate dressing for a ball at this hour , '' she said , rather breathlessly . `` I do n't feel half-dressed by midnight . '' Madeleine , in street costume , was behind her with a great box . `` She has something for my hair , '' she explained . Her tone was nervous , but he was entirely unsuspicious .