midnight
she exclaimed , catching the note and re-entering the house , where by the light of the hall lamp she read what he had written . It was very short , but it told all -- how he had written again and again , receiving no answer , and was about coming himself when a severe illness prevented . The marriage , he said , was that of his uncle , for whom he was named , and who had in truth gone on to Washington , the home of his second wife . It closed by asking tier to meet him , with Anna , on one of the arbor bridges at midnight . Hastily tearing a blank leaf from a book which chanced to be lying in the hall , ` Lena wrote , `` We will be there , '' and giving it to the negro , bade him hasten back . There was no longer need to wait for Durward , who , if he got no letter , was not to call , and trembling in every nerve , ` Lena sought her chamber , there to consider what she was next to do . For some time past Carrie had occupied a separate room from Anna , who , she said disturbed her with her late hours and restless turnings , so ` Lena 's part seemed comparatively easy .