midnight
And on this he besought Mr. Atterbury to bear the tidings to Castlewood . He could not face his mistress himself with those dreadful news . Mr. Atterbury complying kindly , Esmond writ a hasty note on his table-book to my lord 's man , bidding him get the horses for Mr. Atterbury , and ride with him , and send Esmond 's own valise to the Gatehouse prison , whither he resolved to go and give himself up . Those may imagine , who have seen death untimely strike down persons revered and beloved , and know how unavailing consolation is , what was Harry Esmond 's anguish after being an actor in that ghastly midnight scene of blood and homicide . He could not , he felt , have faced his dear mistress , and told her that story . He was thankful that kind Atterbury consented to break the sad news to her ; but , besides his grief , which he took into prison with him , he had that in his heart which secretly cheered and consoled him . A great secret had been told to Esmond by his unhappy stricken kinsman , lying on his death-bed .