midnight
The reunited pair passed the whole day together , getting farther into each other 's hearts than they ever yet had done , like two children who in a moment of fear , hold each other closely and cling together , united by an instinct . There are in this life of two-in-one completely happy days , the gift of chance , ephemeral flowers , born neither of yesterday nor belonging to the morrow . Jules and Clemence now enjoyed this day as though they forboded it to be the last of their loving life . What name shall we give to that mysterious power which hastens the steps of travellers before the storm is visible ; which makes the life and beauty of the dying so resplendent , and fills the parting soul with joyous projects for days before death comes ; which tells the midnight student to fill his lamp when it shines brightest ; and makes the mother fear the thoughtful look cast upon her infant by an observing man ? We all are affected by this influence in the great catastrophes of life ; but it has never yet been named or studied ; it is something more than presentiment , but not as yet clear vision . All went well till the following day . On Monday , Jules Desmarets , obliged to go to the Bourse on his usual business , asked his wife , as usual , if she would take advantage of his carriage and let him drive her anywhere .