midnight
He put out his arm as if to stay her from mothlike flight , and it fell about her waist . He pressed her to him . Her lips met his -- they were incredibly soft and warm -- they seemed to blossom under his kisses . * * * * * Adolph , returning from the opera at midnight , donned his old jacket and a pair of slippers and , lighting his pipe , settled himself with a paper to await Stefan 's coming . Presently first the paper , then the burnt-out pipe , fell from his hands -- he dozed , started awake , and dozed again . At last he roused himself and stretched stiffly . The lamp was burning low -- he looked at his watch -- it was four o'clock .