midnight
From them he had vanished ; and he must live as if they had vanished from his very memory . They were , doubtless , all eye , all ear : for ever watching to know what had become of him . For their personal safety , now that he was helpless , he trusted there was little cause for fear ; but what peace of mind could they enjoy , while in ignorance of his fate ? He fancied them imploring of their guardians tidings of him , in vain ; questioning the four winds for whispers of his retreat ; pacing every cemetery for a grave that might be his ; gazing up at the loopholes of every prison , with a fear that he might be there ; keeping awake at midnight , for the chance of a visit from his injured spirit ; or seeking sleep , in the dim hope that he might be revealed to them in a dream . And all this must be but a dim dream to him , except in such an hour as this -- a chance hour when no eye was upon him ! The reconciling process was slow -- but it was no less sure than usual . `` Be it so ! ''