midnight
Instantly supposing that some invalid reposed in that couch , and now seized with a dreadful alarm lest Nisida , on beholding him , should utter a sudden ejaculation which would betray the secret of her feigned dumbness , Fernand considerately retreated with all possible speed : nor was he aware that Nisida had observed him , much less that his appearance there had excited such fears in her breast , those fears being greatly enhanced by his negligence in leaving the door open behind him . Oh ! had Nisida known it was thou , Fernand Wagner , how joyous , how happy she would have been ; for the conviction that she bore the pledge of your mutual passion had made her heart yearn that eve to meet with thee again . And was it a like attraction on thy part , or the mysterious influence that now guided all thy movements , which induced thee at midnight to enter the Riverola gardens again , that thou mightest be , as it were , upon the same spot where she dwelt , and scent the fragrance of the same flowers that perfumed the atmosphere which she breathed ? Oh ! doubtless it was that mysterious influence ; for thou hast now that power within thee which made thee strong to resist all the blandishments of the siren , and to prefer the welfare of thine own soul to aught in this world beside ! We said , then , at the commencement of this chapter that Fernand entered the Riverola gardens shortly after midnight .