midnight
Now that she was beginning to understand herself , every instinct of her being led towards reserve . In a misunderstanding with her soldier friends she could easily and frankly effect a reconciliation , but she must be dumb with Merwyn , and distant in manner , to the degree that she was self-conscious . Suddenly she became aware that it was growing late , and that her father had not returned , and for the next hour she suffered terribly from anxiety , as did many women in those days of strange vicissitudes . At last , a little before midnight , he came , looking stern and anxious . `` I will soon explain , '' he said to her . `` Take this woman to her room . '' Then , to his aroused and sleepy agents : `` You have had some rest and respite .