midnight
` Well , well , we are left tete-a-tete . A glass of wine with you , Mr Whish ! ' The captain and Herrick meanwhile turned their back upon the lights in Attwater 's verandah , and took a direction towards the pier and the beach of the lagoon . The isle , at this hour , with its smooth floor of sand , the pillared roof overhead , and the prevalent illumination of the lamps , wore an air of unreality like a deserted theatre or a public garden at midnight . A man looked about him for the statues and tables . Not the least air of wind was stirring among the palms , and the silence was emphasised by the continuous clamour of the surf from the seashore , as it might be of traffic in the next street . Still talking , still soothing him , the captain hurried his patient on , brought him at last to the lagoon-side , and leading him down the beach , laved his head and face with the tepid water .