nearly nine o’clock
Above was the golden moon . Behind , the black outlines of the suburb which they had just quitted . `` Let us stop here , '' he proposed , pausing by the bridge rail , and she stayed her steps in obedience . It was nearly nine o'clock , and the passers-by were few . They had the bridge quite to themselves ; the water running beneath murmured gently , but did not interrupt even their unvoiced thoughts . The man took out his _ étui _ and lit another cigarette , sinking his sombre gaze meanwhile deep into the stream below . His companion leaned upon the stone parapet .