seven o'clock, night
The _ Leopoldine _ had grown smaller and smaller , and was lost in the distance . Doubtless the under-tow carried her along , for she moved swiftly and yet the evening breezes were very faint . Now she was only a tiny , gray touch , and would soon reach the extreme horizon of all visible things , and enter those infinite regions , whence darkness was beginning to come . Going on seven o'clock , night closed , and the boat had disappeared . Gaud returned home , feeling withal rather brave , notwithstanding the tears that uncontainably fell . What a difference it would have been , and what still greater pain , if he had gone away , as in the two preceding years , without even a good-bye ! While now everything was softened and bettered between them .