twelve o'clock
There was no light in the windows ; there was no sound at all ; there was no motion but that of the trembling acacia leaves as the cold wind of the night stirred them . And then he passed over to the south side of the thoroughfare , and stood in the black shadow of a high wall ; and Oscar came and looked up into his face . A brougham rattled by ; then there was utter stillness again ; and the moonlight shone on the front of the small house ; which was to all appearances as lifeless as the grave . Then , far away , twelve o'clock struck , and the sound seemed distant as the sound of a bell at sea in this intense quiet . He was alone with the night , and with the dreams and fancies of the night . Would he , then , confess to himself that which he would confess to no other ? Or was it merely some passing whim -- some slight underchord of sentiment struck amidst the careless joy of a young man 's holiday -- that had led him up into the silent region of trees and moonlight ?