midnight
`` Thorpe Ambrose , June 15 , 1851 . `` DEAR MR. BROCK -- Only an hour since we reached this house , just as the servants were locking up for the night . Allan has gone to bed , worn out by our long day 's journey , and has left me in the room they call the library , to tell you the story of our journey to Norfolk . Being better seasoned than he is to fatigues of all kinds , my eyes are quite wakeful enough for writing a letter , though the clock on the chimney-piece points to midnight , and we have been traveling since ten in the morning . `` The last news you had of us was news sent by Allan from the Isle of Man . If I am not mistaken , he wrote to tell you of the night we passed on board the wrecked ship . Forgive me , dear Mr. Brock , if I say nothing on that subject until time has helped me to think of it with a quieter mind .