midnight
It spoke to my spirit : immeasurably distant was the tone , yet so near , it whispered in my heart -- `` My daughter , flee temptation . '' `` Mother , I will . '' So I answered after I had waked from the trance-like dream . It was yet night , but July nights are short : soon after midnight , dawn comes . `` It can not be too early to commence the task I have to fulfil , '' thought I. I rose : I was dressed ; for I had taken off nothing but my shoes . I knew where to find in my drawers some linen , a locket , a ring . In seeking these articles , I encountered the beads of a pearl necklace Mr. Rochester had forced me to accept a few days ago .