midnight
`` We 're _ very _ miserable , Charles -- are we not ? It 's hard to bear indeed , '' she continued , gazing with agonizing intensity on his troubled features . Mrs. Aubrey wept in silence . `` Are you giving way , my brave Kate , beneath this sudden and momentary gust on the midnight sea of our trouble ? '' inquired her brother , proudly but kindly gazing at her , and with his hand gently pushing from her pale cheeks her disordered hair . `` Human nature , Charles , must not be tried too far -- look at Agnes , and the darling little loves '' -- `` I am not likely to consult their interests , Kate , by yielding to unmanly emotion -- am I , sweet Agnes ? '' She made him no reply , but shook her head , sobbing bitterly .