the
first hour after midnight
Then she rested her elbows on the arms of the chair , covered her face with both palms , the broad sleeves of her dress fell from her arms like broken wings . Thus , altogether motionless , she dropped into an abyss of regrets , reminiscences , and fears . The night flowed on . The clock among the flowers in that study struck the first hour after midnight , then the second hour , and each time in the darkness of the drawing-rooms another clock answered in tones which were deeper and more resonant . The syringa and hyacinths gave out a still stronger odor , though the cold increased in that chamber . The frosty winter night was creeping in , even to dwellings which were carefully heated , and was filling them with darkness penetrated with cold ; along Malvina 's shoulders , which were bent over the arm of the chair , shivers began to pass . In the darkness and cold a slight rustle was heard , and on the background of this darkness , in the doorway , appeared Irene .