midnight
He was on a visit to a sister , who lived very near the spot upon which he now stood . She was married to a substantial yeoman , who rented an estate in this place , the property of lord Thomas Villiers . The beautiful scenes of nature were particularly congenial to the elegant said contemplative mind of Mr. Godfrey . And he had now , as was frequently his custom , strolled out to enjoy the calm serenity , and the splendid beauty , of a midnight scene . The man on horse-back was a thief taker , who , just before the carriage had driven up , had , without ceremony , accosted Mr. Godfrey with his enquiries , and a description of the person of whom he was in pursuit . _ Which dismisses the Reader . _ Mr. Godfrey , in a resolute tone , called out to the coachman to stop , and not contented with a verbal mandate , he rushed before the horses , and brandishing a club he held in his hand , bid the driver proceed at his peril .