midnight
How could she suppose that her pretended lover would be restrained by an oath , when the very occasion of incurring it was an intention to act in violation of all laws human and divine ? and yet such ridiculous conjuration is commonly the cement of every conspiracy , how dark , how treacherous , how impious soever it may be : a certain sign that there are some remains of religion left in the human mind , even after every moral sentiment hath abandoned it ; and that the most execrable ruffian finds means to quiet the suggestions of his conscience , by some reversionary hope of Heaven 's forgiveness . Be this as it will , our lovers , though real voluptuaries , amidst the first transports of their enjoyment did not neglect the great political aim of their conjunction . Teresa 's bedchamber , to which our hero constantly repaired at midnight , was the scene of their deliberations , and there it was determined that the damsel , in order to avoid suspicion , should feign herself irritated at the indifference of Ferdinand , her passion for whom was by this time no secret in the family ; and that , with a view to countenance this affectation , he should upon all occasions treat her with an air of loftiness and disdain . So screened from all imputation of fraud , she was furnished by him with artful instructions how to sound the inclinations of her young mistress , how to recommend his person and qualifications by the sure methods of contradiction , comparisons , revilings , and reproach ; how to watch the paroxysms of her disposition , inflame her passions , and improve , for his advantage , those moments of frailty from which no woman is exempted . In short , this consummate politician taught his agent to poison the young lady 's mind with insidious conversation , tending to inspire her with the love of guilty pleasure , to debauch her sentiments , and confound her ideas of dignity and virtue . After all , the task is not difficult to lead the unpractised heart astray , by dint of those opportunities her seducer possessed .