midnight
Sir Jasper Kingsland seized the bell and rang a shrill peal . `` Ride to the village -- ride for your life ! '' he said , imperatively , to the servant who answered , `` and fetch the Reverend Cyrus Green here at once . '' The man bowed and departed , and Sir Jasper Kingsland , Baronet , of Kingsland Court , was alone -- alone in the gloomy grandeur of the vast library ; alone with his thoughts and the wailing midnight storm . A little toy time-piece of buhl on the stone mantel chimed musically its story of the hour , and Sir Jasper Kingsland lifted his gloomy eyes for a moment at the sound . A tall , spare middle-aged man , handsome once -- handsome still , some people said -- with iron-gray hair and a proud , patrician face . `` Twelve , '' his dry lips whispered to themselves -- `` midnight , and for three hours I have endured this maddening agony of suspense !