midnight
It was a most agreeable evening . The archbishop talked to every one , but never seemed to engross the conversation . He talked to the ladies of gardens , and cottages , and a little of books , seemed deeply interested in the studies and progress of the grandson Thornberry , who evidently idolised him ; and in due course his Grace was engaged in economical speculations with Job himself , who was quite pleased to find a priest as liberal and enlightened as he was able and thoroughly informed . An hour before midnight they separated , though the archbishop attended them to the hall . Mrs. Thornberry 's birthday was near at hand , which Job always commemorated with a gift . It had commenced with some severe offering , like `` Paradise Lost , '' then it fell into the gentler form of Tennyson , and , of late , unconsciously under the influence of his wife , it had taken the shape of a bracelet or a shawl . This evening , as he was rather feeling his way as to what might please her most , Mrs. Thornberry embracing him , and hiding her face on his breast , murmured , `` Do not give me any jewel , dear Job .