midnight
It is the peace of the present , which passes understanding . Its murmur came `` now , '' and `` now '' once more as they trod the gravel , and `` now , '' as the moonlight fell upon their father 's sword . They passed upstairs , kissed , and amidst the endless iterations fell asleep . The house had enshadowed the tree at first , but as the moon rose higher the two disentangled , and were clear for a few moments at midnight . Margaret awoke and looked into the garden . How incomprehensible that Leonard Bast should have won her this night of peace ! Was he also part of Mrs. Wilcox 's mind ?