midnight
We performed duets together ; and thus , whether in the house or out of it , were thrown into the closest possible intercourse . All this came about so naturally that several months had passed away in this familiar association before I began even to suspect danger , either for myself or for her . Suddenly , however , I awakened to the consciousness of the fact as it was . All my life was filled by Inez Cameron -- all my life seemed to centre around her -- all my future seemed as black as midnight apart from her . Never before had I felt even a passing interest in any woman . Bound as I had been all my life , in boyhood by honor , and in early manhood by legal ties , I had never allowed myself to think of any other woman ; and I had always been on my guard so as not to drift into any of those flirtations with which men in general , and especially we officers , contrive to fritter away the freshness of affection . Inexperience , combined with the influence of circumstances , caused me to drift into this position ; and the situation became one from which it was hard indeed to extricate myself .