midnight
When left to himself Jasper walked about a little , then sat down at his writing-table , for he felt easier in mind , and fancied that he might still do a couple of hours ' work before going to bed . He did in fact write half-a-dozen lines , but with the effort came back his former mood . Very soon the pen dropped , and he was once more in the throes of anxious mental debate . He sat till after midnight , and when he went to his bedroom it was with a lingering step , which proved him still a prey to indecision . Alfred Yule 's behaviour under his disappointment seemed to prove that even for him the uses of adversity could be sweet . On the day after his return home he displayed a most unwonted mildness in such remarks as he addressed to his wife , and his bearing towards Marian was gravely gentle . At meals he conversed , or rather monologised , on literary topics , with occasionally one of his grim jokes , pointed for Marian 's appreciation .