midnight
But it was a great satisfaction to know that she felt resigned and could draw solace from a spiritual source , even though the same was denied to me . During the last meeting between Esther and Miss Jean , but a few weeks before , the former had confessed that there was now no hope of our ever marrying . As I had not seen my parents for several years , I continued my journey to my old home on the San Antonio River . Leaving Las Palomas after nightfall , I passed the McLeod ranch after midnight . Halting my horse to rest , I reviewed the past , and the best reasoning at my command showed nothing encouraging on the horizon . That Esther had sought consolation from a spiritual source did not discourage me ; for , under my observation , where it had been put to the test , the love of man and wife overrode it . But to expect this contented girl to renounce her faith and become my wife , was expecting her to share with me nothing , unless it was the chance of a felon 's cell , and I remounted my horse and rode away under a starry sky , somewhat of a fatalist myself .