midnight
Thank Heaven that I have succeeded ! And now lead me home ; my house is not far off . '' Peregrine resolutely avoided all reflection on the impossibility of the stranger going a few steps only , tricked out as she was , and in white silk shoes , without spoiling her whole dress in the storm , instead of being , as now , in a state that showed not the slightest trace of discomposure ; he reconciled himself to the idea of accompanying her still farther , and was only glad that the weather was changed . The storm , indeed , had past , not a cloud was in the heaven , the full moon shone down pleasantly , and only the keen air made the midnight to be felt . Scarcely had they gone a few steps , when the maiden began to complain softly , and soon burst out into loud lamentations , that she was freezing with the cold . Peregrine , whose blood glowed through his veins , who had therefore been insensible to the weather , and never thought of her being so lightly clad , without even a shawl or a tucker , now on a sudden saw his folly , and would have wrapt her in his cloak . This , however , she rejected , exclaiming piteously , `` No , my dear Peregrine , that avails me nothing : my feet !