midnight
she asked , shuddering , and turning from the sickening spectacle with disgust . '' ` To-night it shall be sunk deep in the waters of the Thames , ' I replied ; and then , in a more familiar manner than I had as yet ventured to assume , I reminded her ladyship of the _ reward _ she had promised me , as soon as the job should be completed . Again she shuddered ; -- and turned deadly pale ; and with a bitter smile , which seemed to me to be expressive of hatred and contempt combined , she answered -- '' ` You are right , Simpson ; you have obeyed my wishes , and merit your reward , -- but not now , not now ! Come to my chamber at midnight ; I shall expect you , -- you understand . Go now -- leave me ; remove all traces of your crime . I shall take care to have a quantity of plate removed from the house to-night , and destroyed , and when his lordship returns to-morrow , he will imagine that Lagrange , despite his supposed faithfulness and integrity , has absconded and stolen the plate , -- that will account to him for the valet 's sudden disappearance . Leave me . ' ''