midnight
`` I saw him from time to time , and as it proved to be a low wasting fever , he was with the sisters four long months . Among the nuns who attend the sick , is a beautiful young English girl , of patrician face and mien . And now a word of her ; eighteen years ago , it was a _ fete _ day at Rome , and among the seductions offered to the senses of man , was that of the stage ; one of your most gifted of English stars held men chained in fetters wrought by her beauty and talent , night after night , in their boxes at the theatre , while the priests of the Lord wept at the altar , because of the deserted sanctuary ; but it was carnival time , and men , at that season , forget the God who gave them power to enjoy . In one of the churches , at midnight , a lady closely veiled , entered , carrying a bundle , and going up to the altar , without reverence and in haste , deposited her burden at the foot of the cross . The officiating priest directed one of the sextons to follow her in haste , but the lady was too quick for him . A carriage was in waiting , which a gentleman with hat over brow , and muffled about throat , speedily drove off , almost before the lady was seated ; they were soon lost in the maddening crowd , for humanity held high revel ; the jester was abroad , and theatre , with amusement and music hall , poured forth their devotees , though the ball , both in palace and street , would be kept rolling all night . The emissaries of the church learned that your star of the London stage left Rome closely veiled , and attended by a stranger , a gentleman , at midnight .