two o’clock
It is gone nearer to comfort that sad-hearted lady than aught else . '' It appeared that Mrs. Roper would not be satisfied unless she herself were present at the undertaking , and this was contrary to the views of Giles , who thought the further off women were in such a matter the better . There was a watch at the outer entrance of London Bridge , the trainbands taking turns to supply it , but it was known by experience that they did not think it necessary to keep awake after belated travellers had ceased to come in ; and Sir Thomas More 's head was set over the opposite gateway , looking inwards at the City . The most suitable hour would be between one and two o'clock , when no one would be stirring , and the summer night would be at the shortest . Mrs. Roper was exceedingly anxious to implicate no one , and to prevent her husband and brother from having any knowledge of an act that William Roper might have prohibited , as if she could not absolutely exculpate him , it might be fatal to him . She would therefore allow no one to assist save Ambrose , and a few more devoted old servants , of condition too low for anger to be likely to light upon them . She was to be rowed with muffled oars to the spot , to lie hid in the shadow of the bridge till a signal like the cry of the pee-wit was exchanged from the bridge , then approach the stairs at the inner angle of the bridge where Giles and Ambrose would meet her .