midnight
This girl must not leave the house to-night , '' said Berenice respectfully , but firmly . `` Lady Hurstmonceux , if you did but know what excellent cause you have to loathe that creature , you would not oppose my orders respecting her ; if you keep her under your roof this night you degrade yourself ; and , finally , if she does not leave the house at once I and my daughters must -- midnight and snow-storm , notwithstanding . We are not accustomed to domicile with such wretches , '' said the old lady grimly . Berenice was not prepared for this extreme issue ; Mrs. Brudenell 's threat of departing with her daughters at midnight , and in the storm , shocked and alarmed her ; and the other words reawakened her jealous misgivings . Dropping the hand that she had laid protectingly upon Nora 's shoulder , she said : `` It shall be as you please , madam . I shall not interfere again . '' This altercation had now aroused poor Nora to the consciousness that she herself was a cause of dispute between the two ladies ; so putting her hand to her forehead and looking around in a bewildered way , she said : `` No ; it is true ; I have no right to stop here now ; I will go ! ''