midnight
Oh , beloved Ronayne ! by all the vows of love you ever poured into my willing ear -- by all the fires of passion you ever kindled in my heart , I conjure you to come , for I can endure this suspense , this cruel uncertainty no longer . To-night I shall count the long , long hours ; and , oh ! if Wau-nan-gee return without you , without one ray of hope to animate this breaking heart , I will not leave him until I have won his promise to conduct me at midnight to the secret entrance through which he has so often gained admission into the fort ; or failing in my plea to him , I will make the attempt to fly myself . But , dear Ronayne , if you come not , the measure of my grief will be full indeed to overflowing . I can no longer endure this . '' Such was the last note of the unhappy and distracted Maria Ronayne .