midnight
Yet he was not bored by finding himself the only man among so many women ; he knew most of these women , their faults and their worthiness , far too well not to be at ease with them , even if he had troubled to give a second thought to their largess of kindliness . He had responded to their unexpected call to meet them together because he had something to say to them , and he said it that afternoon in his own time and in his own way . Had he needed to borrow dignity to sustain their jubilant welcome , his purpose would have lent it to him , and , for the rest , all his heart was overshadowed and filled with the consciousness of Sophia Rexford 's presence . He had not seen her since the night in which they had walked through midnight hours together . He could not touch her hand without feeling his own tremble . He did not look at her again . It was a pretty scene .