midnight
`` Ah , child , '' says the woman , good-humouredly , as the girl rises and stands upright before her , `` no one is likely to take you for the ` Black Lady of Sorel . ' '' Contrary to her wont , for she seldom speaks except when directly questioned , the Indian girl exclaimed , `` The Black Lady of Sorel , madame ! Who is she ? '' `` Nay , my good girl , '' replied the woman , not at all displeased at being addressed as madame , `` I do n't mean a real lady , but the ghost who is seen sometimes walking on the wall of the fort -- at midnight , of course . '' `` I have indeed heard say that there are ghosts , '' said the girl , `` but I never saw one , madame . '' `` Nor I , child , '' was the reply , `` and I am sure I do n't want to . '' `` But what makes her walk about in such a strange place ? ''