midnight before
Miss Leaf read the chapter as usual ; and Elizabeth was sent to bed , but still no sign of the absentee . `` I will sit up for him . He can not be many minutes new , '' said his Aunt Hilary , and settled herself in the solitary parlor , which one candle and no fire made as cheerless as could possibly be . There she waited till midnight before the young man came in . Perhaps he was struck with compunction by her weary white face -- by her silent lighting of his candle , for he made her a thousand apologies . '' ` Pon my honor , Aunt Hilary , I 'll never keep you up so late again . Poor dear auntie , how tired she looks ! ''