midnight
It occurred to me that a scare would be suitable entertainment for Paul 's last visit . Uncle Thomas had planned our departure from Bombay for Calcutta on the next steamer . The vessel would sail on Friday morning , and our passage already had been engaged . We would go aboard soon after midnight , and the ship was to sail in the early morning . `` I chose a tableau for Paul . Aided by Uncle Thomas and that assistant , the performance was staged . During that day there had been two rehearsals .