midnight
He was not alarmed , for Mrs Hadwin had occasional `` attacks , '' like most people of her age ; but he put down his pen and listened . No other sound was to be heard except this stealthy step , no opening of doors , nor whisper of voices , nor commotion of any kind ; and after a while Mr Wentworth 's curiosity was fully awakened . When he heard it again , he opened his door suddenly , and threw a light upon the staircase and little corridor into which his room opened . The figure he saw there startled him more than if it had been a midnight robber . It was only Sarah , the housemaid , white and shivering with terror , who fell down upon her knees before him . `` Oh , Mr Wentworth , it aint my fault ! '' cried Sarah .