midnight
He felt , perhaps , that shouting would be inadequate or even inappropriate . When his first emotions subsided he went quietly forth from the house -LRB- it was evening -RRB- and took a walk about the adjacent streets , stopping at a stationer 's to purchase note-paper . Returned to his room he gently whistled an old-fashioned melody ; his face passed from grave thoughtfulness to a merry smile . Before going to bed he meant to write a letter , but there was no hurry ; two hours had to pass before the midnight collection . The letter was brief , lucid , sensible . He explained to Mrs. Clover that the painfulness and difficulty of her situation since Lord Polperro 's death had impelled him to a strange , but harmless and justifiable , expedient for putting her affairs in order . He made known the nature of the artifice , which , `` for several reasons , '' he had tried in the first instance upon Polly Sparkes , with complete success .