midnight
It was thus impossible for us to see who it was until the person was close abreast of us ; but by the rustle of the gown we knew that it was one of the ladies , and dressed just as she had come from theatre or ball . Insensibly I drew back as the candle swam into our field of vision : it had not traversed many inches when a hand was clapped firmly but silently across my mouth . I could forgive Raffles for that , at any rate ! In another breath I should have cried aloud : for the girl with the candle , the girl in her ball-dress , at dead of night , the girl with the letter for the post , was the last girl on God 's wide earth whom I should have chosen thus to encounter -- a midnight intruder in the very house where I had been reluctantly received on her account ! I forgot Raffles . I forgot the new and unforgivable grudge I had against him now . I forgot his very hand across my mouth , even before he paid me the compliment of removing it .