midnight
The haggard ghost , the pale figure of warning and remorse , was gone for ever from Arthur 's heart . Wilkins , the moment he discovered who it was he had rescued , gave scarce a thought to the flight of those who had opposed him ; but , with a gush of thankfulness in his heart , he drew Blanche 's arm within his , and led her back toward her own house . `` How came you to be in the street at this hour , Miss ? Do you know it is after midnight , and young girls like you are never safe in these streets at such hours ? '' `` Oh , sir , '' said Blanche , bursting into tears , `` my grandpapa was taken very ill . I had no one to send , you know , and of course I had to go for assistance myself . I looked all up and down the street , and saw nobody , not even a watch-man ; so I put on my cloak , and ran for the doctor .