midnight
It is in these moments that we sit by the side of a waterfall and listen to its music the live-long day . It is in these moments that men gaze upon the moon . It is in these moments that Nature becomes our Egeria ; and , refreshed and renovated by this beautiful communion , we return to the world better enabled to fight our parts in the hot war of passions , to perform the great duties for which man appeared to have been created , to love , to hate , to slander , and to slay . It was past midnight , and Vivian was at a considerable distance from the Château . He proposed entering by a side door , which led into the billiard-room , and from thence , crossing the Long Gallery , he could easily reach his apartment without disturbing any of the household . His way led through the little gate at which he had parted with Mrs. Felix Lorraine on the first day of their meeting . As he softly opened the door which led into the Long Gallery he found he was not alone : leaning against one of the casements was a female .