midnight
No answer was vouchsafed , but the dim light of a lamp , placed by the intruder on the floor , disclosed a figure wrapped from head to foot in the shrouding mantle of the time , not tall , but appearing a stout muscular person , banishing on the instant Nigel 's scarcely-formed hope that it was the only one he longed to see . `` What wouldst thou ? '' he said , after a brief pause . `` Doth Edward practise midnight murder ? Speak , who art thou ? '' `` Midnight murder , thou boasting fool ; I love thee not well enough to cheat the hangman of his prey , '' replied a harsh and grating voice , which , even without the removal of the cloak , would have revealed to Nigel 's astonished ears the Earl of Buchan . `` Ha !