midnight before
As the car began to grow close again , she left it for a breath of the fresh air , which blew over the hills as the storm came nearer . She heard some one say it was time for the New York Express , which was to pass them at Crompton , and it soon came thundering on , but stopped suddenly when it found its progress impeded . She saw the passengers alight to ascertain the cause of the hindrance , and heard their impatient exclamations at the delay , which would seriously inconvenience some of them . `` It may be midnight before we reach Crompton . I wonder if Howard will meet me at that late hour , '' she heard a young man say , the smoke from his cigar blowing in her face as he passed where she was sitting on a stump . `` He is sure to be there . I saw him day before yesterday , and he is wild to have you come .