midnight
It would be wrong and cruel to force her back to Redford . It was preposterous to think of making a governess or companion of her , a daughter of the proud Pennycuicks . She could not remain in his house as she was , without scandal , although he was a clergyman , with a sister housekeeper . Here they were now -- past midnight , and practically without a soul in the house -- and he so young still , and , if he might presume to say it , so attractive ! He put the case to her guardedly , gradually , plainly at last , and argued it for a full hour , while she drooped and wept , gazing at the smelly stove and shaking her head wearily . By the time dawn came , and she was quite worn out , he had won her consent to be his wife , which meant for her a footing somewhere , and at the same time a means to commit suicide without violating the law . Miss Goldsworthy , who was but his humble slave , came home , put the forlorn girl to bed , and made a wedding breakfast for her while she was there ; Mr Goldsworthy took the opportunity to fill up marriage papers in his study .