midnight
`` Thou bloody villain ! '' muttered I , for now I read the tragedy of the wagon beside the road , and knew how Master Settle had provided a horse for his own escape . But hereupon the word was given , and we started up the hill , I walking by Delia 's stirrup and listening to her talk as if we had never been parted -- yet with a tenderer joy , having by loss of it learn 'd to appraise my happiness aright . We came , a little before midnight , to Sir Bevill 's famous great house of Stow , near Kilkhampton : that to-night was brightly lit and full of captains and troopers feasting , as well they needed to , after the great victory . And here , though loth to do so , I left Delia to the care of Lady Grace Grenville , Sir Bevill 's fond beautiful wife , and of all gentlewomen I have ever seen the pink and paragon , as well for her loyal heart as the graces of her mind : who , before the half of our tale was out , kissed Delia on both cheeks , and led her away . `` To you too , sir , I would counsel bed , '' said she , `` after you have eaten and drunk , and especially given God thanks for this day 's work . '' Sir Bevill I did not see , but striding down into the hall , picked my way among the drinking and drunken ; the servants hurrying with dishes of roast and baked and great tankards of beer ; the swords and pikes flung down under the forms and settles , and sticking out to trip a man up ; and at length found a groom who led me to a loft over one of the barns : and here , above a mattress of hay , I slept the first time for many months between fresh linen that smell 'd of lavender , and in thinking how pleasant 't was , dropped sound asleep .