midnight
and requested me to retire , as I must be aware of the impropriety of such a visit , at such an hour . Perceiving the uselessness of attempting to bribe him to secrecy , I left him , cursing him for his obstinacy , and came direct to you . Heavens ! ' added her ladyship , drawing her robe over her partially denuded bosom , ` how desperate the fear of exposure has made me , that in this indecent attire I go at midnight to the chambers of male servants ! -- Simpson , can you help me in this dreadful emergency ? You have heretofore proved faithful to me , -- do not desert me now . _ Lagrange must be silenced !