midnight
I thought it but mercy to leave her alone , and , giving directions to the servant where I might be found , and requesting her to tell her mistress that I would call again early in the morning , I left the house . I returned hither , and am once more shut up in my solitary chamber . I am in want of sleep , but my thoughts must be less tumultuous before that blessing can be hoped for . All is still in the house and in the city , and the `` cloudy morning '' of the watchman tells me that midnight is past . I have already written much , but must write on . What , my friend , can this letter contain ? The belief that the contents are known and the true writer discovered produced strange effects .