midnight
Her father had been to a neighbouring town on business with Mr. Tinman . He knocked at her door at midnight ; and she , in dread of she knew not what -- chiefly that the Hour of the Scene had somehow struck -- stepped out to him trembling . He was alone . She thought herself the most childish of mortals in supposing that she could have been summoned at midnight to declare her sentiments , and hardly noticed his gloomy depression . He asked her to give him five minutes ; then asked her for a kiss , and told her to go to bed and sleep . But Annette had seen that a great present affliction was on him , and she would not be sent to sleep . She promised to listen patiently , to bear anything , to be brave .