midnight
`` She did , and entertained me with an unceasing catechism as to Lionel 's whereabouts , his deeds past and present ; seems to fear his cousin , Judith Trevalyon ; in fact , plainly shows her old predilection , is as aforetime , alive in her breast ; is anxious to know how we became so intimate with him ; whether he goes to Haughton Hall ; whither the woman your uncle has married has invited her ; says she does not leave Rome until the middle of January ; wants to know if we shall be there for the Twelfth-night ball ; wonders if Lionel will retire for a fashionable six weeks ' mourning . Says there is a rumour that he is engaged to half a dozen women , and has a wife and children somewhere ; is crazy -LRB- to use her own expression -RRB- to know if you are , as report says , engaged to Del Castello , etc. , etc. , and asked me point-blank , if I like dear Mrs. Haughton . '' `` What a whirl the brain of the slender waist Duchess must be in , and what a bore she was to you ; so she also goes to Haughton . Fancy uncle on one side , and Major Delrose , the Rose Cottage people , Mrs. Meltonbury , Peter Tedril , Hatherton , etc. , on the other ; Madame well knows how to mix up the brandy cocktail and poker of midnight , with sober 9 o'clock whist and old port , but the scales are weightier on one side . But behold the naturalist , waiting at the door with prayer book in hand , ready for her devotions . '' Lady Esmondet , Vaura , and Robert Douglas ate their Christmas dinner quietly together . `` I shall feel lonely when you leave Rome , '' said the priest , as he bade them a warm goodnight .