midnight
` How can I tell you ? Poetry and truth -- that was what drew all of us to him . For all his clear , broad intellect he was as sweet and simple as a child . Even now I have his bright laugh ringing in my ears , and at the same time he Burnt his midnight lamp Before the holy and the true , as a dear half-cracked fellow , the poet of our set , expressed it . ' ` And how did he talk ? ' Alexandra Pavlovna questioned again . ` He talked well when he was in the mood , but not remarkably so .