twelve o'clock
`` Not but what Trumbull has made money . '' `` Close up his eyes and draw the curtain close ; And let us all to meditation . '' -- 2 Henry VI . That night after twelve o'clock Mary Garth relieved the watch in Mr. Featherstone 's room , and sat there alone through the small hours . She often chose this task , in which she found some pleasure , notwithstanding the old man 's testiness whenever he demanded her attentions . There were intervals in which she could sit perfectly still , enjoying the outer stillness and the subdued light . The red fire with its gently audible movement seemed like a solemn existence calmly independent of the petty passions , the imbecile desires , the straining after worthless uncertainties , which were daily moving her contempt .