midnight
What could I tell her of my vision of her womanly softness and timidity brought to bay by the Thing of horror , down in those empty lower rooms ? How did I know It stalked no prey but me ? Its clutch was upon Desire Michell . These were Its hours , between midnight and dawn . `` Tramps , '' I explained evasively . `` Give me the light . '' But she pattered down the stairs beside me , kimono lifted well above her pink-flowered slippers , one hand on the balustrade .