midnight
There had been nights in this woodlander 's life when no roof could cover him . When even the forest seemed to suffocate , and when he had found relief only upon the bald bare top of that rocky height which crowned the island . On such nights he had gone out early and come home with the daybreak , and none had known of his absence , save , now and then , the faithful Angelique , who knew the master 's story but kept it to herself . Margot had never guessed of these midnight expeditions , nor understood the peculiar love and veneration her guardian had for that mountain top . She better loved the depths of the wonderful forest , with its flowers and ferns , and its furred or feathered creatures . She was dreaming of these , the next morning , when her uncle 's cheery whistle called her to get up . A cold plunge , a swift dressing , and she was with him , seeing no signs of either illness or sorrow in his genial face , and eager with plans for the coming day .