midnight
Althea had imposed a certain degree of restraint upon herself while talking to the grammateus , but during the further conversation with Hermon she confessed that she was decidedly of his opinion , and added to the old reasons for the deposition of beauty and ideality in favour of truth and reality new ones which surprised the sculptor . When she at last offered him her hand for a firm alliance , his brain was fevered , and it seemed a great honour when she asked eagerly what would occupy him in the immediate future . Passionate sympathy echoed in every word , was expressed in every feature , and she listened as if a great happiness was in store for herself when he disclosed the hopes which he based upon the statue of Arachne . True , as time passed he had spoken more than once of the necessity of retiring , and before midnight really tried to depart ; but he had fallen under Althea 's thrall , and , in reply to her inquiry what must shorten these exquisite hours , had informed her , in significant words , what drew him away , and that his delay threatened him with the loss of a model such as the favour of fate rarely bestowed upon an artist . Now the Thracian for the first time permitted her eyes to make frank confessions . She also bent forward with a natural movement to examine the artistic work on a silver vase , and as while doing so her peplos fell over his hand , she pressed it tenderly . He gazed ardently up at her ; but she whispered softly : `` Stay !