midnight
`` I will paint her as I see her , Ten times have the lilies blown Since she looked upon the sun , Face and figure of a child , -- Though top calm , you think , and tender , For the childhood you would lend her . '' `` Indeed , Peyton , you distress me . What can be the matter ? I heard you walking the floor of your room long after midnight , and feared you were ill . '' `` Not ill , Elise , but sorely perplexed . If I felt at liberty to communicate all the circumstances to you , doubtless you would readily comprehend and sympathize with the peculiar difficulties that surround me ; but unfortunately I am bound by a promise which prevents me from placing all the facts in your possession . Occasionally ministers involuntarily become the custodians of family secrets that oppress their hearts and burden them with unwelcome responsibility , and just now I am suffering from the consequences of a rash promise which compassion extorted from me years ago .