midnight
It was Beth 's sporting instinct that had made her evade the question . When she had won the game , and the excitement was over , she felt she had been guilty of duplicity , and determined to confess when Miss Clifford sent for her next and gave her a good opportunity . She would have gone at once but for the dread of losing the precious liberty that was life to her . All through the weeks that followed she kept herself sane and healthy by midnight exercises in the moonlight . Her appetite had failed her till she took to this diversion , but after her second ramble she was so hungry that she went down to the kitchen boldly to forage in the hope of finding a crust . The fire was still burning brightly , and by its light she discovered on the table the thick bread and butter for the next morning 's breakfast , all cut ready , and piled up under covers on the dishes . There was half a jug of beer besides , doubtless left from the servants ' supper .