midnight
There was , indeed , a slight appearance of a path to the most practicable entrance , but he could not help thinking it was made by some wild animal , which had chosen one of the vaults for its hiding-place . Still ruminating on Isabel 's concealed adventures as he returned , Sedley perceived a handful of sweet bay lying in the grass , which he recollected seeing her gather the preceding evening , with peculiar attention to the reviving fragrance of the evergreen . Every doubt was now removed . This was the spot which a young and beautiful female visited alone at midnight . No base inclination , no unworthy passion which shunned the light , could stimulate such an enterprize . Piety must bestow the inspiration ; and that fortitude which results from conscious rectitude must confirm the trembling knees , and guide the cautious steps of the heroical adventurer . A more honourable and praise-worthy principle than doubt or curiosity now led Sedley to discover what the treasure was which Isabel thus clandestinely visited .