midnight
J. Cuthbert Nickleby 's manner was one of open enthusiasm . Elation possessed him . His laugh was frequent and boisterous . Any doubts he may have entertained at midnight that the deal was going through had been dispelled within the half hour during which the meeting had been in progress . Brazen as the whole thing was , its very boldness apparently had captured the imagination of Waring and Ferguson . Nickleby felt a huge satisfaction in his own perspicacity ; he had not cultivated these two men during the past few months for nothing . He knew them and he was about to convert that knowledge into cash and bid them farewell .