midnight
She wonderingly speculated as to how she had ever been able to originate an idea herself . The evening dragged its slow length along , and dragged Cornelia with it . To be where she was , was insupportable ; but to go back to the Parsonage was worse still ; and the thought of the solitary drive thither with the overflowing Mr. Reynolds filled her with a nauseating pain of anticipation . It could not have been far from midnight when she awoke to a sense of being alone and not far from the side-door into the yard . Her partner -- whoever he was -- had gone to get her some ice-cream or a cup of coffee . Cornelia did not wait for his return , but walked quickly and unobserved to the door , which stood a few inches ajar , opened it , passed through , and stood in the unconfined air . The keen intensity of the tonic made her nostrils ache , and her uncovered bosom heave .