midnight
Lingering on the spot which his feet had last pressed , she tried to fancy him beside her , and acted the scene over again , `` making believe , '' childish fashion , that she stood on tiptoe attempting to reach up to his mouth -- a very long way ! -- and there breathing out the `` Yes '' in a perfectly justifiable and unquestionable fashion . And then she laughed at her own conceit -- the foolish little wife ! -- and tripped off into the drawing-room , lest the old butler , who always went round the house at midnight to see that all was safe , might catch her at her antics . Still , were they not quite natural ? Was she not a very happy and fondly-worshipped wife ? and was not her husband coming home the next morning ?