midnight
I 'm not worthy of you , '' he went on , `` no man ever born was that ; but say you care enough -- that you think you -- '' And here the woman spoke : `` Good or bad -- and I think you the finest man I ever knew -- worthy of me or not , I 'd rather be your wife than anything this world could bring . Oh , ye 've been so long away , Danvers , '' she said , with a sob , `` so long away -- '' `` God ! '' he cried , the word sounding like a prayer , as he gathered her in his arms , kissing her lips , her eyes , her hair ; and , the time being made for them , I went quietly from the room . An hour passed , two ; and when midnight was tolled , I knew that Nancy 's health must be thought of , and crossed the hall to pack Danvers off home . I found him , glorified , at one side of the chimney-shelf , and Nancy , like a beautiful crumpled rose , at the other ; Nancy , with eyes showing the memory of Danvers 's kisses ; conscious to the finger-tips , all woman , who had been learning for the past two hours from her lover 's passionate caresses the Meaning of Life . `` Be off home with you , Danvers Carmichael , '' I cried . `` Ye 'll have this child of mine ill again ! ''