midnight
`` I have come to see how our father is . It was twelve o'clock last night when your messenger arrived at the Banks and told me that you would not be able to return that night , because an accident had happened to Mr. Rockharrt . Not a dangerous one , but yet one that would keep you with him for some hours . I know very well how accidents are smoothed over in being reported to women ; so I was not reassured by that clause , and I would have set out for Rockhold immediately if it had not been a starless midnight , making the road dangerous to others as well as myself . But I was up at daybreak to start this morning , and here I am . '' `` Sit down , my child ; sit down . You look pale and tired .