midnight
`` I 'm in your way , '' she said , and he answered , `` Not at all . '' He added to the other sentence he had spoken , `` If it 's going to be as good as what you gave us today -- '' `` You are very kind . '' She hesitated , and then she said , abruptly : `` What I did to-day owed everything to you , Mr. Verrian , '' and while he desisted from searching the book-shelves , she stood looking anxiously at him , with the pulse in her neck visibly throbbing . Her agitation was really painful , but Verrian did not attribute it to her finding herself there alone with him at midnight ; for though the other guests had all gone to bed , the house was awake in some of the servants , and an elderly woman came in presently bringing a breadth of silvery gauze , which she held up , asking if it was that . `` Not exactly , but it will do nicely , Mrs. Stager . Would you mind getting me the very pale-blue piece that electric blue ? '' `` I 'm looking for something good and dull , '' Verrian said , when the woman was gone .