midnight
So saying , she hastily threw her handkerchief over her head and left the cottage . And what were Alice Johnson 's thoughts when she was left alone ? She sat still by the fire , and never moved for a long time . Darkness , midnight darkness , a horror of darkness , was settling down on her soul . She had no false support now from the drink , and so her physical state added to her utter depression . Conscience began to speak as it had never spoken before ; and then came pressing on her the horrible craving , which she had no means now of gratifying . The past and the future fastened upon her soul like the fiery fangs of two fearful snakes .