midnight
He was a craftsman and an artist , lost in this boorish place . In Italy they would know how to value him . On this ground above all the unselfish girl gave her consent ; but many tender tears came with it , and at that Gerard , young and loving as herself , cried bitterly with her , and often they asked one another what they had done , that so many different persons should be their enemies , and combine , as it seemed , to part them . They sat hand in hand till midnight , now deploring their hard fate , now drawing bright and hopeful pictures of the future , in the midst of which Margaret 's tears would suddenly flow , and then poor Gerard 's eloquence would die away in a sigh . The morning found them resigned to part , but neither had the courage to say when ; and much I doubt whether the hour of parting ever would have struck . But about three in the afternoon , Giles , who had made a circuit of many miles to avoid suspicion , rode up to the door . They both ran out to him , eager with curiosity .