midnight
Kneeling at her side , he made a short prayer , then pressed his lips to her warm cheek , and left her . Rose murmured his name at that instant , but it was as the innocent and young betray their secrets in their slumbers . Neither of the party awoke . It was a moment to prove the heart of man , that in which Harry Mulford , in the darkness of midnight , alone , unsustained by any encouraging eye , or approving voice , with no other aid than his own stout arm , and the unknown designs of a mysterious Providence , committed his form to the sea . For an instant he paused , after he had waded down on the wreck to a spot where the water already mounted to his breast , but it was not in misgivings . He calculated the chances , and made an intelligent use of such assistance as could be had . There had been no sharks near the wreck that day , but a splash in the water might bring them back again in a crowd .