midnight
He could not conceal from himself the fact that he was growing more and more attached to the companionship of this beautiful , clever , and romantic girl . He found that she disputed Gloria in his mind . He found that , mingling imperceptibly with his hope of a triumphant return to Gloria , was the thought that _ she _ would feel the triumph too , or the painful thought that if it came she would not be near him to hear the story . He found that one of the delights of his lonely midnight walks was the quiet thought of her . It used to be a gladness to him to recall , in those moments of solitude , some word that she had spoken -- some kindly touch of her hand . He began to grow afraid of his position and his feelings . What had he to do with falling in love ?