Chapter 3: Midnight

⁠​​​‌​​​​​​​‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​⁠The clock struck twelve. The Aldclyffe state dinner was over. The company had all gone, and Miss Aldclyffe’s bell rang loudly and jerkingly.

Cytherea started to her feet at the sound, which broke in upon a fitful sleep that had overtaken her. She had been sitting drearily in her chair waiting minute after minute for the signal, her brain in that state of intentness which takes cognizance of the pas