midnight
He only trusted that his gayety would prove contagious , and enliven his traveling companions , thus rewarding them for letting him join them . Nell was pensive and silent . James Starr had decided , very sensibly , to set off in the evening . It would be very much better for the girl to pass gradually from the darkness of night to the full light of day ; and that would in this way be managed , since between midnight and noon she would experience the successive phases of shade and sunshine , to which her sight had to get accustomed . Just as they left the cottage , Nell took Harry 's hand saying , `` Harry , is it really necessary for me to leave the mine at all , even for these few days ? '' `` Yes , it is , Nell , '' replied the young man . `` It is needful for both of us . ''