midnight
And in her suffering her woman 's nerves had for a moment betrayed her . Heretofore she had known no weakness of her sex , but the woman soul in her so being moved , she had been broken and conquered for a space , and had gone to Anne 's chamber , scarcely knowing what refuge she so sought . It had been a feminine act , and she had realised all it signified when Anne sank weeping by her . Women who wept and prated together at midnight in their chambers ended by telling their secrets . So it was that it fell out that Anne saw not again the changed face to the sight of which she had that night awakened . It seemed as if my lady from that time made plans which should never for a moment leave her alone . The next day she was busied arranging a brilliant rout , the next a rich banquet , the next a great assembly ; she drove in the Mall in her stateliest equipages ; she walked upon its promenade , surrounded by her crowd of courtiers , smiling upon them , and answering them with shafts of graceful wit -- the charm of her gaiety had never been so remarked upon , her air never so enchanting .