midnight
Everyone , old and young -- quadrilles , reels , polkas , Irish Washerwoman , Old Dan Tucker , and all . Even Mrs. Conors , after much persuasion , did a jig as it was performed `` whin I was a gal in ould Ireland , '' and Patrick Flynn , the aspiring County Member , was her partner . How the old tavern creaked and groaned with the unusual tax upon its timbers , and how bright the windows looked from every side of the rambling edifice ! When midnight was past the tables were set in the bar-room of ancient times , and the cleverest productions of Sophia Dodona disappeared like snow before an April sun . As Dr. Dodona remarked afterwards to his wife , '' ` Twould be a round century of health to the bride and groom should the wishes of the feasters be realized . '' When it was all over , and the last `` Good-night '' had passed the threshold , Nancy went to her room . She sat a long while , resting in her big rocking-chair and reflecting on the changes in the future which the day had meant for her .