midnight
Will you hear me ? '' There was evidently a struggle in the mind of the motionless woman beside the window , but it was brief , and left no trace in the cold , ringing voice . `` I will hear you . '' Slowly and impressively the governess began the narrative , of which she had given Dr. Grey a hasty _ résumé _ , and when she mentioned the midnight labors in which she had engaged , the copying of legal documents , the sale of her drawings , the hoarding of her salary in order to aid her mother and her betrothed , and to remove the obstacles to her marriage , Mrs. Gerome sat down , and , crossing her arms on the window-sill , hid her face upon them . Unflinchingly Miss Dexter detailed all that occurred after her arrival in New York ; and finally , approaching the window , she insisted that her listener should peruse the last letter received from her lover , and containing the promise that within ten days he would come to claim his bride . But the lovely hand waved it aside , and the proud voice exclaimed impatiently , -- `` I need no additional proof of his perfidy , which , beyond controversy , was long ago established . Go on !