midnight
He held me close for a half second as he whispered : `` Let me make you happy . I understand . '' `` I do n't understand , and until I do I 'd make you miserable , dear , '' I whispered back as I drew myself out of his reluctant arms and went into my own door . Then for a long midnight hour I stood at my deep window and looked out over the garden , past the squat steeple silvering beyond the lilac hedge , to Paradise Ridge in the dim distance , and tried to read my own hieroglyphics . I needed help . Nickols had come after me to Goodloets in a spirit of gentle determination and I knew the fight would be to the finish . And why should I fight ?