midnight
Overwhelmed by Miss Lavinia 's fatal logic , she had no choice , no course but one to pursue -- to avoid Verty , and thus ward off that prospective `` suffering ; '' and so , with a swelling heart and a heated brain , our little heroine could find no better resource than tears , and sobs , and sighs . As Redbud sat thus disconsolate , a footstep in the apartment attracted her attention , and raising her tearful eyes , she saw her friend Fanny , who had run in , laughing , as was her wont . Fanny was a handsome little brunette , about Redbud 's age , and full of merriment and glee -- perhaps _ sparkle _ would be the better word , inasmuch as this young lady always seemed to be upon the verge of laughter -- brim full with it , and ready to overflow , like a goblet of Bohemian glass filled with the `` foaming draught of eastern France , '' if we may be permitted to make so unworthy a comparison . Her merry black eyes were now dancing , and her ebon curls rippled from her smooth dark brow like midnight waves . `` Oh ! here 's your beau , Reddy ! '' cried Miss Fanny , clapping her hands ; `` you pretended not to know him as he came up the hill .