midnight
The heat of the room was stifling , for just above was the roof , upon which all day the sun had poured its rays . She threw open the window , and drank in the air . The night was magnificent , flooded with warm moonlight , and fragrant with sea breathings . Ida felt an irresistible desire to leave the house and go down to the shore , which she could not see from her window ; the tide , she remembered , would just now be full , and to walk by it in the solitude of midnight would bring her that peace and strength of soul she so much needed . She put on her hat and cloak , and went downstairs . The front door was only latched , and , as she had her key , no doubt she would be able to let herself in at any hour . The streets were all but deserted , and , when she came to the beach , no soul was anywhere visible .