midnight
`` And -- and -- Laura , '' said the sick man , with the slow and imperfect enunication caused by his disease ; `` Laura looks pretty -- too . '' `` Is n't she adorable ! '' Cora exclaimed warmly . `` She decided to be the portrait of a young duchess , you see , all stately splendour -- made of snow and midnight ! '' `` Hear ! hear ! '' laughed Laura ; but she blushed with pleasure , and taking Cora 's hand in hers lifted it to her lips .