midnight
There were signs of an approaching storm . What to me would have been kindly weather ? Anything -- a rain-storm -- a tempest -- a hurricane -- anything but a fine night was what I desired . It was still early when we reached the plantation Besancon -- not quite midnight . We had lost no time on the road . Our object in hurrying forward was to arrive at the place before the household of Gayarre should go to rest . Our hopes were that we might find some means of communicating with Aurore -- through the slaves .