midnight
The two horsemen were now at the church , but they passed it and kept on to the castle ; and hearty was the welcome of the noble duke to the halls of Stramen castle . Sir Sandrit 's eyes gleamed with delight as he saluted his liege ; Henry 's cheek flushed with pleasure when Rodolph , the flower of German chivalry , spoke of his youthful prowess at Hohenburg ; the Lady Margaret loved the duke for the praises he heaped upon her brother . Nor were the domestics gazing idly on ; but kept gliding to and fro , and hurrying here and there until the genial board was spread , and the fish , fresh from the Danube , smoked , and the goblet gleamed . As it was near midnight when they sat down , Father Omehr felt at liberty to leave the room without ceremony . The Lady Margaret stayed no longer than courtesy demanded , when she rose and retired to her chamber . This young lady had always been noted for her piety and her charities to the poor , whose wants she was sure to discover and supply . Under the skilful and fervent training of Father Omehr , she had learned to repress a spirit , perhaps naturally quick and imperious , and to practise on every occasion a humility very difficult to haughty natures .