midnight
It was here that the lilacs and laburnums grew especially thick ; this was the most sheltered nook in the enclosure , its shrubs screened the garden-chair where that afternoon I had sat with the young directress . I need not say that my thoughts were chiefly with her as I leaned from the lattice , and let my eye roam , now over the walks and borders of the garden , now along the many-windowed front of the house which rose white beyond the masses of foliage . I wondered in what part of the building was situated her apartment ; and a single light , shining through the persiennes of one croisee , seemed to direct me to it . `` She watches late , '' thought I , `` for it must be now near midnight . She is a fascinating little woman , '' I continued in voiceless soliloquy ; `` her image forms a pleasant picture in memory ; I know she is not what the world calls pretty -- no matter , there is harmony in her aspect , and I like it ; her brown hair , her blue eye , the freshness of her cheek , the whiteness of her neck , all suit my taste . Then I respect her talent ; the idea of marrying a doll or a fool was always abhorrent to me : I know that a pretty doll , a fair fool , might do well enough for the honeymoon ; but when passion cooled , how dreadful to find a lump of wax and wood laid in my bosom , a half idiot clasped in my arms , and to remember that I had made of this my equal -- nay , my idol -- to know that I must pass the rest of my dreary life with a creature incapable of understanding what I said , of appreciating what I thought , or of sympathizing with what I felt ! `` Now , Zoraide Reuter , '' thought I , `` has tact , CARACTERE , judgment , discretion ; has she heart ?