midnight
`` She said I should be sure to go to Allington , and that of course I should go to her , as I must pass through Silverbridge . '' `` I hope papa will not ask about it , '' said Mrs. Crawley . Luckily papa did not ask about it , being at the moment occupied much with other thoughts and other troubles , and Grace was allowed to return by Silverbridge , and to take what was needed from Miss Prettyman . Who can tell of the mending and patching , of the weary wearing midnight hours of needlework which were accomplished before the poor girl went , so that she might not reach her friend 's house in actual rags ? And when the work was ended , what was there to show for it ? I do not think that the idea of the bare bodkin , as regarded herself , ever flitted across Mrs. Crawley 's brain , -- she being one of those who are very strong to endure ; but it must have occurred to her very often that the repose of the grave is sweet , and that there cometh after death a levelling and making even of things , which would at last cure all her evils . Grace no doubt looked forward to a levelling and making even of things , -- or perhaps even to something more prosperous than that , which should come to her relief on this side of the grave .