midnight
At seven o'clock Mr. Kirke arrived ; and when the situation had been explained to him , he acquiesced in the plan . He seemed confident that there was but little danger ; and he and Anthony were soon deep in theological talk . Anthony found him excellently instructed already ; he had , in fact , even prepared for his confession ; his wife had taught him well ; and it was the prospect of this one good opportunity of being reconciled to the Church that had precipitated matters and decided him to take the step . He was a delightful companion , too , intelligent , courageous , humorous and modest , and Anthony thought his own labour and danger well repaid when , a little after midnight , he heard his confession and received him into the Church . It was impossible for Mr. Kirke to receive communion , as he had wished , for there were wanting some of the necessaries for saying mass ; so he promised to ride across to Stanfield in a week or so , stay the night and communicate in the morning . Then early the next morning a council was held as to the best way for the party to leave for Stanfield . The men were called up , and their opinions asked ; and gradually step by step a plan was evolved .