midnight
Lady Knollys came , and was very kind . She was odd , but her eccentricity was leavened with strong commonsense ; and I have often thought since with gratitude of the tact with which she managed my grief . I did not know where to write to Dr. Bryerly , to whom I had promised the key , but in accordance with my father 's written directions , his death was forthwith published in the principal London papers . He came at midnight , accordingly , and on the morrow the will was read . Except for a legacy of £ 10,000 to his only brother , Silas Ruthyn , and a few minor legacies to relations and servants , my father had left his whole estate to me , appointing my Uncle Silas my sole guardian , with full parental authority over me until I should have reached the age of twenty-one , up to which time I was to reside under his care at Bartram-Haugh , with the sum of £ 2,000 paid yearly to him for my suitable maintenance and education . I was startled by the expression of cousin Monica 's face . She looked ghastly and angry .