nearly eleven o'clock
But he soon came back to say that the candles were all out , the windows open , and the servants laying the cloth for supper . `` Oh , never mind , then , '' said Grace ; `` when we go in to supper I 'll look myself . '' But a considerable time elapsed before supper , and Mr. Coventry spent this time in making love rather ardently , and Grace in defending herself rather feebly . It was nearly eleven o'clock when Mr. Raby rejoined them , and they all went in to supper . There were candles lighted on the table and a few here and there upon the walls ; but the room was very somber : and Mr. Raby informed them this was to remind them of the moral darkness , in which the world lay before that great event they were about to celebrate . He then helped each of them to a ladleful of frumety , remarking at the same time , with a grim smile , that they were not obliged to eat it ; there would be a very different supper after midnight . Then a black-letter Bible was brought him , and he read it all to himself at a side-table .