midnight
Sir Vavasour Firebrace is seated in a spacious library that looks upon the Thames and the gardens of the Temple . Though piles of parchments and papers cover the numerous tables , and in many parts intrude upon the Turkey carpet , an air of order , of comfort , and of taste , pervades the chamber . The hangings of crimson damask silk blend with the antique furniture of oak ; the upper panes of the windows are tinted by the brilliant pencil of feudal Germany , while the choice volumes that line the shelves are clothed in bindings which become their rare contents . The master of this apartment was a man of ordinary height , inclined to corpulency , and in the wane of middle life , though his unwrinkled cheek , his undimmed blue eye , and his brown hair , very apparent , though he wore a cap of black velvet , did not betray his age , or the midnight studies by which he had in a great degree acquired that learning for which he was celebrated . The general expression of his countenance was pleasing , though dashed with a trait of the sinister . He was seated in an easy chair , before a kidney table at which he was writing . Near at hand was a long tall oaken desk , on which were several folio volumes open , and some manuscripts which denoted that he had recently been engaged with them .