midnight
And the rest of the inscription , about selling a soul ; I was considerably intrigued by that , and let my thoughts ramble on the subject of Satanist complexes and the vagaries of half-crazy painters . As I read , that evening , I glanced up again and again at my new possession . Sometimes it seemed ridiculous , sometimes sinister . Shortly after midnight I rose , gazed once more , and then turned out the parlor lamp . For a moment , or so it seemed , I could see those dancers , so many dim-pink silhouettes in the sudden darkness . I went to the kitchen for a bit of whisky and water , and thence to my bedroom . I had dreams .