midnight
The letter was folded and directed as she heard a voice in the hall calling her name . It was Sheldon 's ; and a bright smile irradiated her features , as , throwing aside the writing materials , she prepared to go down . He met her on the stairs . `` I could n't find you anywhere , '' he said , `` and the parlors were dark and cold as midnight . Where have you been and how occupied all the while I 've been away winding up that tiresome contract with Hardin ? '' `` In my room , writing a letter to a friend , '' she answered , with a pleasant smile , as he was leading her through the several parlors , to fix on one exactly suited to his taste . `` Writing ? ''