midnight
Then he approached her and requested a kiss , which the ladies and damsels of the said country of England are ready enough to grant , -LRB- * -RRB- and kissing her , begged her tenderly not to be afraid , for no person living should ever be made acquainted with what passed between them . -LRB- * -RRB- Is this a libel on the English ladies of the 16th century , or is it true -- as Bibliophile Jacob asserts in the foot-note to this passage -- that `` English prudery is a daughter of the Reformation ? '' Then she said ; `` I see that there is no escape , and that I must do as you wish , and as this must be so , in order to guard my honour , let me tell you that a regulation has been made by all the lords now living in Calais that every householder shall watch one night a week on the town walls . But as my husband has done so much , either himself or by his friends , for the lords and noblemen of the Cardinal , your master , who lodge here , he has only to watch half the night , and he will do so on Thursday next , from the time the bell rings in the evening until midnight ; and whilst my husband is away on his watch , if you have anything to say to me , you will find me in my chamber , quite willing to listen to you , and along with my maid ; '' -- who was quite ready to perform whatever her mistress wished . John Stockton was much pleased with this answer , and thanked his hostess , and told her that it would not be his fault if he did not come at the appointed hour . This conversation took place on the Monday , after dinner . But it should here be stated that Thomas Brampton had , unknown to his friend John Stockton , made similar requests to their hostess , but she would not grant his desire , but now raised his hopes and then dashed them to the ground , saying that he must have but a poor idea of her virtue , and that , if she did what he wished , she was sure that her husband and his relations and friends would take her life .