midnight
`` Let it be to-morrow morning , at sunrise . The quicker it is over , the better . '' This determined upon , the friend went again to the second of Everett , and completed all necessary arrangements for the duel . It was midnight , and young doctor Lane sat alone in his chamber , beside a table , upon which were ink and paper . He had , evidently , made several attempts to write ; and each time failed from some cause to accomplish his task . Several sheets of paper had been written upon , and thrown aside . Each of these bore the following words : -- '' _ My Dear Parents : -- _ When these lines are read by you , the hand that penned them will be cold and nerveless -- '' Thus far the unhappy young man could go , but no farther .