midnight
Chiffinch was an inordinate drinker , and satisfied he could turn this failing to account , the earl went into the ball where he was stationed , and after a little conversation , called for a flask of wine . It was brought , and while they were quaffing bumpers , Pillichody , who had entered unperceived , contrived to open a table-drawer in which the keys were placed , and slip them noiselessly into his doublet . He then stole away , and delivered his prize to Blaize , receiving in return the promised reward , and chuckling to himself at the success of his roguery . The keys were conveyed by the porter to Leonard , and the latter handed them in his turn to John Lutcombe , who engaged to have the horses at the lower end of the south avenue an hour before midnight . About half-past ten , and when it was supposed that the king and his courtiers had retired to rest -LRB- for early hours were kept in those days -RRB- , Mrs. Buscot and Leonard repaired to Amabel 's chamber . The good housekeeper noticed with great uneasiness that her niece looked excessively pale and agitated , and she would have persuaded her to abandon all idea of flight , if she had not feared that her stay might be attended with still worse consequences . Before the party set out , Mrs. Buscot crept down stairs to see that all was safe , and returned almost instantly , with the very satisfactory intelligence that Chiffinch was snoring in a chair in the hall , and that the usher had probably retired to rest , as he was nowhere to be seen .