midnight
That was all of Willie 's greeting , but his eyes filled , and as the friends held each other 's hands Davie came very near touching for a moment a David Lockerby no one had seen for many long years . But he said nothing during his visit of Willie 's sermon , nor indeed in several subsequent ones . Scotsmen are reticent on all matters , and especially reticent about spiritual experience ; and though Davie lingered in Edinburgh a week , he was neither able to speak to Willie about his soul , nor yet in all their conversations get rid of that haunting , uncomfortable influence Willie had raised . But as they stood before the Queen 's Hotel at midnight bidding each other an affectionate farewell , David suddenly turned Willie round and opened up his whole heart to him . And as he talked he found himself able to define what had been only hitherto a vague , restless sense of want . `` I am the poorest rich man and the most miserable failure , Willie Caird , that ever you asked yon fearsome question of -- and I know it . I have achieved millions , and I am a conscious bankrupt to my own soul .