noon
She had just finished copying her address , and , placing it carefully in the desk , rose and leaned against the window , that the cool night air might fan her fevered brow . The hot blood beat heavily in her temples , and fled with arrowy swiftness through her veins . Continued mental excitement , like another Shylock , peremptorily exacted its debt , and , as she looked out on the solemn beauty of the night , instead of soothing , it seemed to mock her restlessness . Dr. Hartwell had been absent since noon , but now she detected the whir of wheels in the direction of the carriage house , and knew that he was in the study . She heard him throw open the shutters and speak to Charon , and , gathering up her hair , which hung loosely about her shoulders , she confined it with a comb and glided noiselessly down the steps . The lamplight gleamed through the open door , and , pausing on the threshold , she asked : `` May I come in for a few minutes , or are you too much fatigued to talk ? '' `` Beulah , I positively forbade your sitting up this late .