midnight
He has counted on many other things in his life . For his dead father 's sake he is willing to make some sacrifice , but why should this come to him ? The stars shine out in the wide blue heavens , the wind whispers softly among the leaves , the water ripples in the distance . The mysterious noises of night grow shriller for a while , then fainter , until at midnight there is scarcely a sound . How strangely solemn to sit here by this lapsing soul , that but a little while ago was the veriest stranger to him ! He has sent Denise to bed , Violet is sleeping with childhood 's ease and unconsciousness . A week hence and everything will be changed for her ; she will never be a child again .