midnight
It was Hubert Varrick in the flesh , surely , or his wraith ! In that first rapid glance she seemed to live an age ; then , for the second time that day , a merciful unconsciousness seized her . It was gray dawn when she regained her senses and crept back , terror-stricken , to the house . Was it the idle fancy of her own vivid imagination , or did she really see the image of Hubert Varrick confronting her by the brook as the midnight bells of All-Halloween rang out slowly and solemnly on the crisp , chilly night air ? `` I must be going mad -- my brain must be turning , '' thought the girl , shivering in every limb as she walked slowly back to the house . The sun was up high in the heavens ere her uncle returned . `` Such a time as we 've had , lass ! ''