midnight
I do n't like the sound of haemorrhage at all in a woman of her full habit , and Caroline and the Marlets have not exaggerated their accounts I am certain . On the receipt of the letter my father instantly decided to go to her , and I have been occupied all day in getting him off , for as he calculates on being absent several days , there have been many matters for him to arrange before setting out -- the chief being to find some one who will do duty for him next Sunday -- a quest of no small difficulty at such short notice ; but at last poor old feeble Mr. Dugdale has agreed to attempt it , with Mr. Highman , the Scripture reader , to assist him in the lessons . I fain would have gone with my father to escape the irksome anxiety of awaiting her ; but somebody had to stay , and I could best be spared . George has driven him to the station to meet the last train by which he will catch the midnight boat , and reach Havre some time in the morning . He hates the sea , and a night passage in particular . I hope he will get there without mishap of any kind ; but I feel anxious for him , stay-at - home as he is , and unable to cope with any difficulty . Such an errand , too ; the journey will be sad enough at best .