midnight
What effect would this discovery have on his relations to Helen ? He dared not think yet he must think . Already the temptation of his life was forming in his mind . His cousin was sleeping ; and with a wild impatience to escape , to get away from all his kind , he stole noiselessly out into the midnight and deserted streets . On , on he went , limping he knew not , cared not where , for his passion and mental agony drove him hither and thither like a leaf before a fitful gale . `` No one knows of this , '' he groaned . `` I can still return and marry Helen .