midnight
She knelt beside the inanimate form of her old parent , shedding no tear , and uttering no sigh . Tears would have poorly expressed the wo which at that moment she felt ; and the outlaw , growing impatient of the dumb spectacle , now ventured to approach and interrupt her . She rose , meekly and without reluctance , as he spoke ; with a manner which said as plainly as words could have , said -- ` Command , and I obey . Bid me go even now , at midnight , on a perilous journey , over and into foreign lands , and I go without murmur or repining . ' She was a heart-stricken , a heart-broken , and abused woman -- and yet she loved still , and loved her destroyer . `` Ellen , '' said he , taking her hand , `` your mother was a Christian -- a strict worshipper -- one who , for the last few years of her life , seldom put the Bible out of her hands ; and yet she cursed me in her very soul as she went out of the world . '' `` Guy , Guy , speak not so , I pray you .