midnight
The thought had hardly found shape , when one eye , a part of a lovely face and the top of the head were discerned , as the owner , giving rein to her curiosity , ventured upon a little further view of the visitors . Then , as if conscious of her breach of etiquette , she withdrew , like a flash , from view altogether . But he knew it was only for a brief interval , and sure enough , the eyes speedily appeared at another portion of the curtains , where the beauteous princess must have believed she was not observed , for she looked steadily at the faces of the visitors , with a depth of interest that it was vain for her to attempt to conceal . The heart of Fred Ashman gave a flutter , when he realized that the midnight orbs were fastened upon _ him _ , and , evidently studying his countenance with more interest than those of his companions . Feeling a peculiar boldness , because of the strange situation in which he was placed , he deliberately smiled at the unknown one . She could not have vanished more suddenly had she been snatched away by the hand of some ogre . A pang shot through Fred 's heart , as he felt that he had driven away the enchantress by his own forwardness .