midnight
They did not speak , save to tell the driver to travel slowly to avoid reaching the house too far ahead of the `` other coach . '' The other coach , which Frances said she heard enter the gate , arrived not more than ten minutes before we reached Merlin House , and it is probable that we were undisturbed in our rescue because of the fact that supper was in progress . It was nearly three o'clock by George 's watch when we reached the dark clump of houses standing west of Covent Garden , and within less than half an hour we were in the cozy courtyard of the Old Swan . Pickering was waiting for us , having kept vigil alone since midnight . When he saw me carrying Betty from the coach , he ran to us with a cry and snatched her from my arms . We followed him into the house where we found him weeping over the girl , and kissing her hands as she lay on a bench near the fire . `` What have you been doing ?