midnight
That dust was , however , religiously collected and buried in a mausoleum appropriated to the Horsinghams . Since then the ghost has been less troublesome ; but most of the family have seen or heard it at least once in their lives . I confess that if ever I lie awake at Dangerfield till the clock strikes twelve I invariably stop my ears and bury my head under the bedclothes for at least a quarter of an hour . By these means I have hitherto avoided any personal acquaintance with the spectre ; but nothing on earth would induce me to walk down that corridor at midnight and risk a private interview with the Dangerfield ghost ! As for spending a whole morning in the drawing-room with the ladies it is what I can not and will not submit to . Working and scandal , scandal and working , from half-past ten till two is more than I can stand , so the very first morning I was at Dangerfield I resolved to break the chain at once , and do as I always meant to do for the future . Accordingly , immediately after breakfast I popped my bonnet on -- the lavender one , that had done a good deal of London work , but was still quite good enough for the country -- and started off for a walk by myself , confiding my intentions to no one ; as I well knew if I did I should have Aunt Deborah 's `` Kate , _ pray _ do n't overheat yourself , my dear .