midnight
As he spoke he stretched his arms involuntarily toward her , and scarce knowing what she did , she went forward to the embrace . Very lovingly he folded her for a moment to his bosom , then turning her face to the fading sunlight which streamed through the dingy window , he looked at it wistfully and long , as if he would remember every feature . Pushing back the silken curls which clustered around her forehead , he kissed her twice , and then releasing her said : `` Forgive me , Maude , if I have taken more than a cousin 's liberty with you , I could not help it . '' Bewildered at his words and manner , Maude raised her eyes wonderingly to his , and looking into the shining orbs , he thought how soft , how beautiful they were , but little , little did he dream their light would e'er be quenched in midnight darkness . A while longer they talked together , Mr. De Vere promising to send a servant to take her home in the morning . Then , as the sun had set and the night shadows were deepening in the room , they bade each other good-by , and ere the next day 's sun was very high in the heavens Maude was far on her way to Laurel Hill . Dr. Kennedy had been to Buffalo , and taken the smallpox , so his attending physician said , and the news spread rapidly , frightening nervous people as they never were frightened before .