midnight
He met the Curate with a depressed countenance , and answered all his questions readily enough , even giving him the particulars of the forged bills , in respect to which Thomas Wodehouse the younger could not , somehow , feel so guilty as if it had been a name different from his own which he had affixed to those fatal bits of paper ; and he did not hesitate much to promise that he would go abroad and try to make a new beginning if this matter could be settled . Mr Wentworth went out with some satisfaction after the interview , believing in his heart that his own remonstrances had had their due effect , as it is so natural to believe -- for he did not know , having slept very soundly , that it had rained a good deal during the night , and that Mrs Hadwin 's biggest tub -LRB- for the old lady had a passion for rain-water -RRB- was immediately under poor Wodehouse 's window , and kept him awake as it filled and ran over all through the summer darkness . The recollection of Jack Wentworth , even in his hour of success , was insufficient to fortify the simple soul of his humble admirer against that ominous sound of the unseen rain , and against the flashes of sudden lightning that seemed to blaze into his heart . He could not help thinking of his father 's sick-bed in those midnight hours , and of all the melancholy array of lost years which had made him no longer `` a gentleman , as he used to be , '' but a skulking vagabond in his native place ; and his penitence lasted till after he had had his breakfast and Mr Wentworth was gone . Then perhaps the other side of the question recurred to his mind , and he began to think that if his father died there might be no need for his banishment ; but Mr Wentworth knew nothing of this change in his _ protégé 's _ sentiments , as he went quickly up Grange Lane . Wharfside and all the district had lain neglected for three long days , as the Curate was aware , and he had promised to call at No. 10 Prickett 's Lane , and to look after the little orphan children whom Lucy had taken charge of . His occupations , in short , both public and private , were overpowering , and he could not tell how he was to get through them ; for , in addition to everything else , it was Friday , and there was a litany service at twelve o'clock at St Roque 's .