midnight
The least allusion to this rumour used to drive him well-nigh frantic , and the fatal termination of his duel with young Crofts , which began in wanton mirth , and ended in bloodshed , made men more coy than they had formerly been , of making the fiery little hero the subject of their raillery . While Peveril did the drudgery of the apartment , the dwarf remained much at his ease , carolling in the manner we have described ; but when he beheld Julian attempting the task of the cook , Sir Geoffrey Hudson sprang from the stool on which he sat _ en Signor _ , at the risk of breaking both his guitar and his neck , exclaiming , `` That he would rather prepare breakfast every morning betwixt this and the day of judgment , than commit a task of such consequence to an inexperienced bungler like his companion . '' The young man gladly resigned his task to the splenetic little Knight , and only smiled at his resentment when he added , that , to be but a mortal of middle stature , Julian was as stupid as a giant . Leaving the dwarf to prepare the meal after his own pleasure , Peveril employed himself in measuring the room with his eyes on every side , and in endeavouring to discover some private entrance , such as might admit his midnight visitant , and perhaps could be employed in case of need for effecting his own escape . The floor next engaged a scrutiny equally minute , but more successful . Close by his own pallet , and dropped in such a manner that he must have seen it sooner but for the hurry with which he obeyed the summons of the impatient dwarf , lay a slip of paper , sealed , and directed with the initial letters , J.P. , which seemed to ascertain that it was addressed to himself . He took the opportunity of opening it while the soup was in the very moment of projection , and the full attention of his companion was occupied by what he , in common with wiser and taller men , considered as one of the principal occupations of life ; so that , without incurring his observation or awaking his curiosity , Julian had the opportunity to read as follows : -- `` Rash and infatuated as you are , there is one who would forfeit much to stand betwixt you and your fate .