midnight
And do n't you begrudge me all the little amusements which turn the tradesman into the man and sweeten the pill of bondage -- eh , you poor-souled thing ? ' Her eyes , however , drew his after them , whether he would or no , and they surveyed each other -- he uneasily hostile ; she sad . She slowly shook her head , and he perfectly understood what was in her mind , though she did not speak . He _ had _ been extremely slack at business lately ; the month 's accounts made up that morning had been unusually disappointing ; and twice during the last ten days Dora had sat up till midnight to let her father in , and had tried with all the energy of a sinking heart to persuade herself that it was accident , and that he was only excited , and not drunk . Now , as she stood looking at him , suddenly all the horror of those long-past days came back upon her , thrown up against the peace of the last few years . She locked her hands round his neck with a vehement pathetic gesture . ` Father , be good to me !