midnight
His face was no bad index to what went on within him . He was in a condition of mind rather too exalted for the trivialities of daily life . He could not accept the fact that a lady was fifteen minutes late in keeping her appointment without seeing in that accident the frustration of his entire life . Looking at his watch , he seemed to look deep into the springs of human existence , and by the light of what he saw there altered his course towards the north and the midnight ... . Yes , one 's voyage must be made absolutely without companions through ice and black water -- towards what goal ? Here he laid his finger upon the half-hour , and decided that when the minute-hand reached that point he would go , at the same time answering the question put by another of the many voices of consciousness with the reply that there was undoubtedly a goal , but that it would need the most relentless energy to keep anywhere in its direction . Still , still , one goes on , the ticking seconds seemed to assure him , with dignity , with open eyes , with determination not to accept the second-rate , not to be tempted by the unworthy , not to yield , not to compromise .