midnight
He seemed to understand her , and when , with Mrs. Elmsley , she had departed , he threw himself back upon his pillow , and , closing his eyes , mused deeply . To the inquiry of Von Voltenberg , he replied that , feeling disposed to rest a little , he would not trouble him to sit up longer , but begged him to retire and to send Collins to his barrack-room , leaving his door on the latch , in case he should be summoned by the commanding officer for any purpose before morning . As Mrs. Headley separated for the night from Mrs. Elmsley , and approached her own door , a man in uniform came up , touched his cap respectfully , and presented a packet . `` This parcel , Mrs. Headley , I received from Mrs. Ronayne on leaving the fort this afternoon , with the direction that I should hand it to you if she did not return by midnight . Alas ! ma'am , we have every reason to fear the dear lady will never return ; twelve o'clock has just struck , and I am come to fulfil my trust . '' `` Thank you , Serjeant Nixon .