midnight
A dream , with no dream-like beauty ; a perturbed , and restless , and agitated dream , from which he had now woke shattered and exhausted . He had sacrificed his fortune , he had forfeited his country , he had alienated his wife , and he had lost his child ; the home of his heroic ancestry , the ancient land whose fame and power they had created , the beauteous and gifted woman who would have clung for ever to his bosom , and her transcendant offspring worthy of all their loves ! Profound philosopher ! The clock of the convent struck the second hour after midnight . Herbert started . And all this time where were Annabel and Venetia ? They still lived , they were in the same country , an hour ago they were under the same roof , in the same chamber ; their hands had joined , their hearts had opened , for a moment he had dared to believe that all that he cared for might be regained .