midnight
He would go to his chamber by the back entrance . He did not care to face Mrs. O'Dowd and Amelia , and own to them that he was about to run . By the time Jos 's bargain with Rebecca was completed , and his horses had been visited and examined , it was almost morning once more . But though midnight was long passed , there was no rest for the city ; the people were up , the lights in the houses flamed , crowds were still about the doors , and the streets were busy . Rumours of various natures went still from mouth to mouth : one report averred that the Prussians had been utterly defeated ; another that it was the English who had been attacked and conquered : a third that the latter had held their ground . This last rumour gradually got strength . No Frenchmen had made their appearance .