midnight
I thought he meant for missis 's sickness , so I answered , yes . Then says he , `` There 's somebody gone after 'em , I guess ? '' I stared . He saw I knew nought about it , and he told how a gentleman and lady had stopped to have a horse 's shoe fastened at a blacksmith 's shop , two miles out of Gimmerton , not very long after midnight ! and how the blacksmith 's lass had got up to spy who they were : she knew them both directly . And she noticed the man -- Heathcliff it was , she felt certain : nob ` dy could mistake him , besides -- put a sovereign in her father 's hand for payment . The lady had a cloak about her face ; but having desired a sup of water , while she drank it fell back , and she saw her very plain .