midnight before
And then the darkness fell heavier , the sounds became more and more indistinct and were utterly lost . Ashore , however , the lanterns still glittered brightly in the courtyard of the Presidio ; the noise of laughter and revel still came from the supper-room , and , later , the tinkling of guitars and rhythmical clapping hands showed that the festivities were being wound up by a characteristic fandango . Captain Bunker succumbed early to his potations of fiery aguardiente , and was put to bed in the room of the Commander , to whom he had sworn eternal friendship and alliance . It was long past midnight before the other guests were disposed of in the various quarters of the Presidio ; but to the ladies were reserved the more ostentatious hospitalities of the Alcalde himself , the walls of whose ambitious hacienda raised themselves across the plaza and overlooked the gardens of the Mission . It was from one of the deep , quaintly barred windows of the hacienda that Miss Keene gazed thoughtfully on the night , unable to compose herself to sleep . An antique guest-chamber had been assigned to her in deference to her wish to be alone , for which she had declined the couch and vivacious prattle of her new friend , Dona Isabel . The events of the day had impressed her more deeply than they had her companions , partly from her peculiar inexperience of the world , and partly from her singular sensitiveness to external causes .