midnight
The stars , bright mysterious watchers , seemed peering down into my face with looks of smiling inquiry . The sudden bark of a watch-dog startled and unnerved me . I felt with the consciousness of a mean action , all the humiliating weakness which belongs to it . It took me a goodly hour before I could muster up courage to return home , and it was then midnight . Julia had retired to her chamber , but not yet to her couch . She flew to me on my entrance -- to my arms . I shrunk from her embraces ; but she grasped me with greater firmness .