midnight
Believe me , that I would guard your honour as I do my own , and would rather die than reveal your secret ; and that there is no friend or other person in the world , however dear to me , to whom I would relate our love-affair . '' She , therefore , noting the great affection and desire of the said Thomas , told him , on the Wednesday following the day on which she had given John the gracious reply recorded above -- that , as he had a great desire to do her any service , she would not be so ungrateful as not to repay him . And then she told him how it was arranged that her husband should watch the morrow night , like the other chief householders of the town , in compliance with the regulation made by the lords then staying in Calais . But as -- thank God -- her husband had powerful friends to speak to the Cardinal for him , he had only to watch half the night , that is to say from midnight till the morning , and that if Thomas wished to speak to her during that time , she would gladly hear him , but , for God 's sake let him come so secretly that no blame could attach to her . Thomas replied that he desired nothing better , and with that he took leave of her . On the morrow , which was Thursday , at vespers , after the bell had rung for the watch , John Stockton did not forget to appear at the hour his hostess had appointed . He went to her chamber , and found her there quite alone , and she received him and made him welcome , for the table was laid .