Midnight
`` I tried to prepare you a surprise , and wrote for her to come and visit us ; but she will not come at my request . I am afraid you are the only one who can overcome her stubbornness . `` I fear that I should have no better success , '' he answered . Nevertheless , he went to his desk , and , laying out some paper , he placed upon it , to hold it in place while he wrote , a great black hoof with a silver shoe , bearing on the band about its crown the word `` Midnight . '' After many attempts he wrote as follows : `` Miss MOLLIE AINSLIE : `` Will you permit me to come and see you , upon the conditions imposed when I saw you last ? `` HESDEN LE MOYNE . '' While Hesden waited for an answer to this letter , which had been forwarded through Captain Pardee , he received one from Jordan Jackson .