midnight
He would not be laughed out of his plan by such as he , -- nor would he be frightened by the threat of any Lambro who might come after him , whether he might come in the guise of indignant uncle or injured husband . He had crossed from Regent Street through Hanover Square , and as he came out by the iron gates into Oxford Street , a poor wretched girl , lightly clad in thin raiment , into whose bones the sharp freezing air was penetrating , asked him for money . Would he give her something to get drink , so that for a moment she might feel the warmth of her life renewed ? Such midnight petitions were common enough in his ears , and he was passing on without thinking of her . But she was urgent , and took hold of him . `` For love of God , '' she said , `` if it 's only a penny to get a glass of gin ! Feel my hand , -- how cold it is . ''