midnight
Strive as he might to put it from him , the impression remained recurrent . Therefore it must not be held to Carteret 's discredit if his senses took part with his nobler affections just now , against his considered judgment ; or that he fared badly at the hands of the sea-born goddess -- worshipped hero in her temple in ancient days , with music , with dance and with nameless rites of sex , when the moon rode high heaven at the full , even as to-night . Her influence was still abroad , and in his flesh Carteret shrewdly suffered it ; yet neither basely nor bestially , being clean of life and of spirit . He whipped himself even , with rather sorry humour , seeing , in Damaris ' willingness to entrust herself thus to his sole care in the midnight loneliness , a handsomer compliment to his morals than to his manhood . How little , bless her , she knew what stuff men are made of ! -- therein underrating her acquaintance with fact , as her conversation presently and surprisingly proved to him . The revelation began in all apparent innocence -- for : `` I 'm not ungrateful to Henrietta , '' Damaris said , breaking silence softly yet abruptly , as speaking to herself rather than addressing him , in apology and argument .