midnight
Pembroke did not require a second command from his beautiful charge . Conducting her through the unfrequented paths by which he had entered , he seated her in his curricle and whipping his horses , set off , full speed , towards the melancholy goal of his enterprise . Whilst the two anxious travellers were pursuing their sad journey , the inhabitants of the Abbey were distracted with apprehension lest the countess might expire before their arrival . Ever since Lady Tinemouth received information that Mr. Somerset was gone to the Wolds , hope and fear agitated her by turns , till , wearied out with solicitude and expectation , she turned her dim eyes upon Thaddeus , and said , in a languid voice , `` My dear friend , it must be near midnight . I shall never see the morning ; I shall never in this world see my child . I pray you , thank Mr. Somerset for all the trouble I have occasioned ; and my daughter -- my Albina ! O father of mercies ! ''