midnight before
And there , in immediate right of possession , the noble descendant of his munificent friend would resume his illustrious name , and embrace , with a generous esteem of this country 's national , character , a lasting home and filiation in England ! '' Sir Robert closed this auspicious letter -LRB- which he had striven , however , to write in such a manner as not to betray the true nature of the parental feelings which dictated it -RRB- with a playful expression of his impatience to present to his sister and niece `` their interesting _ emigré _ in a character which reflected so much honor on their discernment . '' The impatience was indeed shared , though in different degrees and forms , by the whole little party -- the soul of one in it totally absorbed . But owing to some insurmountable obstacles , occasioning delays , by the exhausted state of the overwrought Lady Albina ; and notwithstanding the necessity of getting on as fast as possible , to be out of the reach of the enraged earl , should he have missed and traced his daughter to Somerset Castle , the fugitives could not start till late in the afternoon of that day , and it was an hour or more past midnight before they arrived at Deerhurst . The family , in no small disappointment , had given them up for the night , and had retired to their rooms . Miss Dorothy , who would not suffer her brother to be disturbed , sent the two young ladies to their chambers , and was crossing , on tiptoe , the long picture-gallery to her own apartment , when a door opening , Pembroke , in his dressing - gown and slippers , looked out on hearing the stealthy step . She put forth her hand to him with delight , and in a low voice congratulated him on the change in Sir Robert 's mind , kissed his cheek , and told him to prepare for another pleasant surprise in the morning .