midnight
They had served his purpose ; he had made them his tools as long as their assistance had been necessary to the advancement of his ambitious schemes ; but now their help was no longer necessary to him , and he felt free to gratify , without stint , the malignant and vindictive feeling with which he had from the first regarded them . One or two of them , too , notably Lance and Captain Staunton , had on more than one occasion successfully opposed him in his efforts to have things entirely his own way ; and that also must be amply atoned for . So he now amused himself at intervals in devising fresh indignities , in planning new hardships , to be heaped upon the unfortunate _ Galatea _ party . It was in this vindictive spirit that , on the second evening after Dickinson 's midnight visit , Ralli walked up to the cottage , and , unceremoniously opening the door , obtruded his unexpected and most unwelcome presence upon its inmates . As he made his appearance the conversation , which had been of a somewhat animated character , suddenly ceased . He noted this circumstance as he glanced suspiciously round the room , with his features twisted into the now too familiar malicious smile . Bowing with a sarcastic affectation of politeness , he remarked : `` I am afraid my sudden appearance has interrupted a very interesting conversation .