midnight
The watchfulness of a ferocious creature dogged and all but trapped gave way to reckless abandonment , bravado and audacity . `` What 's the lay ? '' he said , with a chuckle . `` To accompany a lady to Kentish Town Junction , and see her safe into the midnight train -- that 's all . '' Drayton laughed outright . `` Of course it is , '' he said . `` The lady will be here shortly before midnight . ''