midnight
A man , not a worm , but a real man , with all the irresistible infinite attractions that a man may have for a woman -- the subtle drawing of the lodestone for the passive iron -- had come into her life . Doubly sweet it was to her intense , young virgin soul , in that it first revealed the dawning of that two-edged bliss which makes a heaven or a hell of earth -- of earth , which owes its very existence to love . I do not mean that Mary was in love , but that she had met , and for the first time felt the touch , yes even the subtle , unconscious , dominating force so sweet to woman , of the man she could love , and had known the rarest throb that pulses in that choicest of all God 's perfect handiwork -- a woman 's heart -- the throb that goes before -- the John , the Baptist , as it were , of coming love . It being after midnight , Mary filled two cups of wine , from each of which she took a sip , and handed them to Brandon and me . She then paid me the ten crowns , very soberly thanked us and said we were at liberty to go . The only words Brandon ever spoke concerning that evening were just as we retired : `` Jesu ! she is perfect .