twelve o'clock
To his inexpressible mortification and rage , the young lady arose from the couch , advanced to the table , and having snuffed the candle , and thrown a shawl over her shoulders , seated herself , and taking up a book , began to read . The truth is , she felt herself rather restless and unwell , and determined to while away an hour or so by perusing a few chapters in the work of a favorite author . The clock struck one , and then Jew Mike knew that his villainous plans could not be carried out that night . A few minutes afterwards , the negro Jones , who had , since twelve o'clock , been waiting with his horse and cab near Mr. Goldworthy 's house in Howard street , drove off -- the sable genius muttering , as he urged his ` fast crab ' onward -- `` Five dollars for to-night , and five dollars more for to-morrow night -- dat I 'm sure of , any how ; gorry , dis nigger 's in luck . '' After the lapse of fifteen or twenty minutes , Fanny Aubrey closed her book , and again retired to bed . Again she slept ; and for that night , she was safe . Mike knew that the cab had departed , and was obliged to defer the execution of his scheme until the next night , or even for a longer period , if a favorable opportunity did not then occur .