midnight
What is it that Byron says about solitude , and moonlight , and youth ? A dangerous combination , truly ; and so Sir Everard Kingsland found , standing side by side with this pale daughter of a hundred earls . But the irrevocable words were not destined to be spoken , for just then George Grosvenor , goaded to jealous desperation , stalked out through the open casement and joined them . The midnight moon was sailing up to the zenith as Sir Everard rode home . His road was a lonely one through Brithlow Wood , which shortened his journey by over a mile ; but his thoughts were pleasant ones , and he hummed , as he rode , the songs Lady Louise had sung . `` Confound that muff , Grosvenor ! '' he thought .