Twelve o’clock
This feeling of personal pride was my salvation now , and it was that alone which held me fast when every instinct of my nature was dragging me away . I am glad now that I had the strength . In spite of all that is has cost me , my manhood is at least above reproach . Twelve o'clock struck in the distant church , then one , then two . It was the darkest hour of the night . The clouds were drifting low , and there was not a star in the sky . An owl was hooting somewhere among the rocks , but no other sound , save the gentle sough of the wind , came to my ears .