midnight
Come down and drink my health in wine from the Abbot 's own cellar . '' But no one had heart for further gaiety , and , finding Lady Treherne already alarmed by Annon , they were forced to tell her all , and find their own bewilderment deepened by her unalterable belief in the evil omen . At her command the house was searched , the servants cross-questioned , and every effort made to discover the identity of the apparition . All in vain ; the house was as usual , and not a man or maid but turned pale at the idea of entering the gallery at midnight . At my lady 's request , all promised to say no more upon the mystery , and separated at last to such sleep as they could enjoy . Very grave were the faces gathered about the breakfast table next morning , and very anxious the glances cast on Sir Jasper as he came in , late as usual , looking uncommonly blithe and well . Nothing serious ever made a deep impression on his mercurial nature .