midnight
And yet , when a little later the stewardess tucked her in her white berth , and invented messages and inquiries from her prostrated aunt and cousins in neighboring staterooms , that designing woman wove a tale about the blue-eyed , silent officer pacing the lonely deck -- how anxious he was to do something for the little invalid -- how eagerly he had gone and ordered for her , and superintended the preparation of that dainty little supper -- how he had bidden the stewardess to stay by her and soothe her , and was so deeply interested . High and low , rich and poor , they love romance , these tender hearts , and for that reason , doubtless , no reference did Madame Flores make of the five-dollar gold-piece that had found its way to her ready palm . `` And he spoke Spanish beautifully , did the Señor Teniente , '' said Madame Flores , whereat did Pancha 's heart begin to flutter anew , for that meant that he must have heard and understood her pleadings . And so it happened that till long after midnight the child lay wide-eyed and awake , listening to that steady , measured tread upon the upper deck . Strange and sad and eventful had been that young life thus far . What strange new thing had Fate in store for her now ? The Idaho dropped anchor at San Lucas and put off a passenger and took on the mails -- two bags with flanks as flat as the sandy strand on which the long white line of breakers beat in ceaseless , soothing melody .