midnight
There was a murmur of acclamation among the knights . Not one of them but would have freely risked his life in the service of the Order , but there were few who would not have shrunk from the idea of living as a slave among the slaves , sharing their tasks , and subject to the orders of men of inferior rank and often brutal manners . The knights now returned to their auberges . It was past midnight , but at the English house the lamps and flambeaux were lighted in the great hall . The servitors were called up , wine placed on the table , and the knights discussed the incidents of the evening . When the meal had concluded , Sir John Kendall said , `` Brother knights , when the grand master bestowed the honour of secular knighthood upon this young comrade of ours , he predicted that he would rise to high distinction in the Order . I think you will all agree with me that the prediction is already in a fair way of being fulfilled , and that the services he has rendered to the Order justify us , his comrades of the English langue , in feeling proud of him .