midnight
My thoughts were carefully concealed from him , and all that he witnessed was contradictory and unintelligible . `` At length , my strength was sufficiently restored . I resisted all my protector 's importunities to postpone my departure till the perfect confirmation of my health . I designed to enter the city at midnight , that prying eyes might be eluded ; to bear with me a candle and the means of lighting it , to explore my way to my ancient study , and to ascertain my future claim to existence and felicity . `` I crossed the river this morning . My impatience would not suffer me to wait till evening . Considering the desolation of the city , I thought I might venture to approach thus near , without hazard of detection .