midnight
Count Vasilovich had no doubt already anticipated and provided against the possibility that I might endeavour to leave Russia ; and to make the attempt openly would but too surely result in my falling into his power . But my friends were very , very kind to me ; they were determined that I should escape , and at length they were fortunate enough to find a lady who was about to travel from Saint Petersburg to London , and who consented to bring me with her as her maid . In this way all difficulties were overcome ; and yesterday I arrived safely in London , and at once went to the address that my father had given me when he spoke of the possibility of your being able to help me , should trouble come upon us . I had some difficulty in finding the place -- being a stranger in London -- and when I did so it was only to learn that you had last been heard of as being here ; so I determined to follow you at once , taking the midnight train from London , and staying in the village only long enough to get some lunch -- of which I stood sadly in need -- before driving over here . And , thank God , I have been fortunate enough to find you ! '' `` Ah , thank God , indeed , my dear child , '' echoed the professor , `` for I assure you it is only by a combination of the most trifling circumstances that I did not leave here yesterday ; in which case further pursuit of me would have been equally useless and impossible . But never mind that , now ; ` all is well that ends well , ' as they say here in England ; you have found me , and that is enough for the present .