midnight
After some delay and much consideration , the Countess sent the attorney 's letter to her daughter , and Lady Anna herself wrote a reply . She perfectly understood the purport of Mr. Goffe 's letter , and would thank Mr. Goffe to call upon her on the 10th of May , when the matter might , she hoped , be settled . So they went on living in utter misery till the month of May had come round , and Lady Anna was at last pronounced to be convalescent . Late one night , long after midnight , the Countess crept into her daughter 's room and sat down by the bedside . Lady Anna was asleep , and the Countess sat there and watched . At this time the girl had passed her birthday , and was of age . Mr. Goffe had been closeted with her and with her mother for two mornings running , Sir William Patterson had also been with them , and instructions had been given as to the property , upon which action was to be at once taken .