midnight
I 'd rather follow him to his grave than see him join that miserable secesh crew . '' `` Yes , '' said Camilla , `` It was better than letting him go . '' When Louis left the room a thousand conflicting thoughts passed through his mind . He felt as a mariner at midnight on a moonless sea , who suddenly , when the storm is brewing , finds that he has lost his compass and his chart . Where was he steering ; and now , the course of his life was changed , what kind of future must he make for himself ? Had it been in time of peace , he could have easily decided , as he had a large amount of money in the North , which his father left him when he came of age . He would have no difficulty as to choosing the means of living ; for he was well supplied , as far as that was concerned ; but here was a most unpleasant dilemma in which he had placed himself .