midnight
`` This is a beautiful place -- '' She dropped her pen with a shudder , closed her eyes , groped for it again , and forced herself to continue -- `` Mr. Portlaw is very kind . The superintendent 's house is large and comfortable . Louis begins his duties to-morrow . Everything promises to be most interesting and enjoyable -- '' She laid her head in her arms , remaining so , motionless until somewhere on the floor below a clock struck midnight . '' At last she managed to go on : `` Dad , dear ; what you said to Louis about my part of your estate was very sweet and generous of you ; but I do not want it . Louis and I have talked it over in the last fortnight and we came to the conclusion that you must make no provision for me at present . We wish to begin very simply and make our own way .