the hour of twelve o'clock
`` I will sleep in the barn to-night , father , '' he added ; `` an ' never fear , let us talk as we may , but we 'll be up early enough in the morning , plase God . I could n't sleep , or go to sleep , till I hear what news he brings back to us ; so do you rise and secure the door , an ' I 'll make my shakedown wid Bartle this night . '' The father who never refused him anything unpecuniary -LRB- if we may be allowed the word -RRB- , did as the son requested him , and again went to bed , unconscious of the thundercloud which was so soon to burst upon them both . Bartle , however , at length returned , and Connor had the satisfaction of hearing that his faithful Una would meet him the next night , if possible , at the hour of twelve o'clock , in her father 's haggard . Her parents , it appeared , had laid an injunction upon her never to see him again ; she was watched , too , and , unless when the household were asleep , she found it altogether impracticable to effect any appointment whatsoever with her lover . She could not even promise with certainty to meet him on that night , but she desired him to come , and if she failed to be punctual , not to leave the place of appointment for an hour . After that , if she appeared not , then he was to wait no longer .