midnight
He wheeled round sharply , and came face to face with his wife . She was at the foot of the stairs , dressed for travelling , and she clutched a small dressing-case in one shaking hand . Forrester stared at her stupidly for a moment , and then his eyes turned to the clock . It was on the stroke of midnight ! So late -- and Faith going out ! He tried to think , to understand , but his brain worked slowly , like machinery that wanted oiling through long disuse . Then suddenly he seemed to understand .