midnight
But suppose now that we turn aside from these fanciful pictures of Macleod 's and take a more commonplace one of which he could have no notion whatever . It is night -- a wet and dismal night -- and a four-wheeled cab is jolting along through the dark and almost deserted thoroughfares of Manchester . Miss Gertrude White is in the cab , and the truth is that she is in a thorough bad temper . Whether it was that the unseemly scuffle that took place in the gallery during the performance , or whether it is that the streets of Manchester , in the midst of rain and after midnight are not inspiriting , or whether it is merely that she has got a headache , it is certain that Miss White is in an ill-humor , and that she has not spoken a word to her maid , her only companion , since together they left the theatre . At length the cab stops opposite a hotel , which is apparently closed for the night . They get out , cross the muddy pavements under the glare of a gas-lamp ; after some delay get into the hotel ; pass through a dimly lit and empty corridor ; and then Miss White bids her maid good-night and opens the door of a small parlor . Here there is a more cheerful scene .