midnight
`` It is not a pleasant story to tell , '' Captain Danton went on , in a subdued voice ; `` the story of a young man 's folly , and madness , and guilt ; but it must be told . The man you saw last night is barely twenty-three years of age , but all the promise of his life is gone ; from henceforth he can be nothing more than a hunted outcast , with the stain of murder on his soul . '' `` Good heavens ! '' exclaimed his hearer ; `` and Kate walks with such a man , alone , and at midnight ? '' `` Yes , '' said Kate 's father , proudly `` and will again , please Heaven . Poor boy ! poor , unfortunate boy !