a few minutes after midnight
He followed her slowly , his hands in his pockets and his mind besieged with countless thoughts . As he crossed the lawn he looked up . From a window in the tower of Roselawn there was shining an angry , blood-red reflection of the sun 's dying moments . It was a few minutes after midnight when the party at Roselawn retired to their rooms . There had been an impromptu dance , following some spirited bridge , and there was more than the usual chaffing and laughter as the guests dispersed to the various wings of the house . Tired with the many events of the day , the American quickly undressed , and soothed by the comfort of cool sheets , lay in that relaxation of mind and body which prefaces the panacea of sleep . With half-closed eyes and drowsy semi-consciousness he heard the sounds of life growing less and less in the roomy passages of Roselawn , as his mind lingered over the burning memory of Elise 's proximity a few hours before .