midnight
Threateners , where they have an opportunity to put in force their threats , were seldom to be feared . But had he been assured of a private stab , or of as many death 's wounds as there were persons in my family , -LRB- made desperate as he should have been by my return , -RRB- he would have attended me into the house . ' So , my dear , what I have to do , is to hold myself inexcusable for meeting such a determined and audacious spirit ; that 's all ! I have hardly any question now , but that he would have contrived some wicked stratagem or other to have got me away , had I met him at a midnight hour , as once or twice I had thoughts to do ; and that would have been more terrible still . He concluded this part of his talk , with saying , ` That he doubted not but that , had he attended me in , he should have come off in every one 's opinion well , that he should have had general leave to renew his visits . ' He went on -- ` He must be so bold as to tell me , that he should have paid a visit of this kind , -LRB- but indeed accompanied by several of his trusty friends , -RRB- had I not met him ; and that very afternoon too ; for he could not tamely let the dreadful Wednesday come , without making some effort to change their determinations . ' What , my dear , was to be done with such a man !