midnight
Charging me to keep it from Blanche , who was , and is , a sad coward , she told me that a spirit had appeared to her two successive nights . ` If it comes a third time , I shall prepare to die , ' said the foolish old lady . `` ` No , you wo n't , for I 'll come and stay with you and lay your ghost , ' I said . With some difficulty I made her yield , and after Blanche was asleep I slipped away to Grandmamma , with a book and candle for a long watch , as the spirit did n't appear till after midnight . She usually slept with her door unlocked , in case of fire or fright , and her maid was close by . That night I locked the door , telling her that spirits could come through the oak if they chose , and I preferred to have a fair trial . Well , I read and chatted and dozed till dawn and nothing appeared , so I laughed at the whole affair , and the old lady pretended to be convinced that it was all a fancy .