midnight
My poor Josephine had never recovered from the shock ; she drooped away like a lily , her little boy by her side , and both died during my absence . '' What makes the strong man 's eyelids quiver and voice tremble -- those eyes that have looked calmly on death and carnage in every shape , with his deep , calm voice cheering on the men to battle at his side ? Ah ! `` It was midnight , and I walked out to the little grave-yard where my fathers had been buried , and bending my steps to a cluster of magnolias on a little mound by itself , I -- I -- a -- kneeled down beside the sod where reposed all I had loved on earth ! I do not know how long I remained there , but presently I heard a groan near by , and a tall man rose up from where he had been stretched , face downward , on the ground , and I beheld Paul Darcantel ! I could hardly recognize him at first , for he seemed fifty years older than when we had last parted . '' ` Cleveland , ' he said , in a hollow , choking voice , ` forgive me !