midnight
Fear , uncontrolled , becomes one of the most debasing of the emotions . It can lead to panic even among soldiers with arms in their hands ; sailors will trample on women and children in their blind rush for the boats ; men will even deny their convictions , their faith , and cringe to brutal power ; crimes the most vile are committed from fear , and fear had virtually obliterated womanhood in Miss Ainsley 's soul . She was in a mood to accept any conditions for the assurance of safety , and she gave not a thought to any one or anything that offered no help . With the roar of the earthquake still in her ears , and in the dark midnight she knew there was no help , no way of escape , and so with the impulse of the shipwrecked who break into the spirit room she besought the opiate which could at least bring oblivion . Her eyes , which could be so beautiful , had the wild , hunted look of an animal , and her form , usually grace itself , writhed into distortions . Her demoralization under the long-continued terror was complete , and all were glad when she became unconscious and could be hidden from sight . As Aun ' Sheba made her way to her own household she grunted , `` A lu n'tic out ob a ` sylem wouldn ' mar ' y dat gal if he seed wot I seed . ''