midnight
What was she doing ? He could not distinguish the features ; but the full blaze of the eastern moon showed him an upturned brow , between a golden stream of glittering tresses which hid her whole figure , except the white hands clasped upon her bosom ... . Was she praying ? were these her midnight sorceries ? ... . And still his heart throbbed and throbbed , till he almost fancied she must hear its noisy beat -- and still she stood motionless , gazing upon the sky , like some exquisite chryselephantine statue , all ivory and gold . And behind her , round the bright room within , painting , books , a whole world of unknown science and beauty ... .