midnight
`` Marion wept bitterly , and said that she would die with him . `` Throughout the day , the spirit of Lord Soulis was troubled , and the fear of coming evil sat heavy on his heart . He wandered to and fro on the battlements of his castle , anxiously looking for the approach of his retainers , who had followed in pursuit of the followers of Branxholm 's heir . But the sun set , and the twilight drew on , and still they came not ; and it was drawing towards midnight when a solitary horseman spurred his jaded steed towards the castle gate . Soulis admitted him with his own hand into the courtyard ; and , ere the rider had dismounted , he inquired of him hastily , and in a tone of apprehension -- '' ` Where be thy fellows , knave ? and why come alone ? ' '' ` Pardon me , my lord , ' said the horseman , falteringly , as he dismounted ; ` thy faithful bondsman is the bearer of evil tidings . ' ''