midnight
The candle burned long , and the wick was crowned by a little cap of fiery red that seemed to watch Eunice like some impish goblin . The wavering light cast grotesque shadows of Sarah Spencer 's head on the wall . The thin curtains at the window wavered to and fro , as if shaken by ghostly hands . At midnight Naomi Holland opened her eyes . The child she had never loved was the only one to go with her to the brink of the Unseen . `` Eunice -- remember ! '' It was the faintest whisper .