nearly five o'clock in the morning before
A pang shot through Mr. Aubrey 's heart ; but he felt that he had , for the present , succeeded in his object . Mr. Aubrey 's distracted mind was indeed , as it were , buffeted about that night on a dark sea of trouble ; while the beloved being beside him lay sleeping peacefully , all unconscious of the rising storm ! Many times , during that dismal night , would he have risen from his bed to seek a momentary relief by walking to and fro , but that he feared disturbing her , and disclosing the extent and depth of his distress . It was nearly five o'clock in the morning before he at length sank into sleep ; and of one thing I can assure the reader , that however that excellent man might have shrunk -- and shrink he did -- from the sufferings which seemed in store , not for himself only , but for those who were far dearer to him than life itself , he did not give way to one repining or rebellious thought . On the contrary , his real frame of mind , on that trying occasion , may be discovered in one short prayer , which his agonized soul was more than once on the point of expressing aloud in words -- `` Oh , my God ! in my prosperity I have endeavored always to acknowledge thee ; forsake not me and mine in our adversity ! '' At an early hour in the morning Mr. Aubrey 's carriage drew up at Mr. Parkinson 's door ; and he brought with him , as he had promised , a great number of title-deeds and family documents .