midnight
Now that I recollected , her conduct at table on the previous night was remarkable , having regard to the true facts of the case . I confess I had myself been entirely deceived into believing that her sorrow at Henry Courtenay 's death was unbounded . In every detail her acting was perfect , and bound to attract sympathy among her friends and arouse interest among strangers . I longed to explain to the quiet , charming old lady what I had seen during my midnight ramble ; but such a course was , as yet , impossible . Indeed , if I made a plain statement , such as I have given in the foregoing pages , surely no one would believe me . But every man has his romance , and this was mine . Unable to reveal Mary 's secret , I was compelled reluctantly to take leave of her mother , who accompanied me out to where the dog-cart was in waiting .