midnight
Then there was a pause of a few seconds , during which he still kept her under his steady gaze . ` On that night , Miss Lake , the 29th September , you drove in Mr. Mark Wylder 's tax-cart to the Dollington station , where , notwithstanding your veil , and your caution , you were _ seen _ and _ recognised _ . The same occurred at Charteris . You accompanied Mr. Mark Wylder in his midnight flight to London , Miss Lake . Of your stay in London I say nothing . It was protracted to the 2nd October , when you arrived in the down train at Dollington at twelve o'clock at night , and took a cab to the `` White House , '' where you were met by a gentleman answering the description of your brother , Captain Lake . Now , Miss Lake , I have stated no particulars , but do you think that knowing all this , and knowing the _ fraud _ by which your absence was covered , and perfectly understanding , as every man conversant with this sinful world must do , the full significance of all this , I could dream of permitting you , Miss Lake , to become domesticated as an inmate in the family of a pure-minded , though simple and unfortunate clergyman ? '