midnight
The bulls must be conducted from the pasture ground of Tablada to the enclosures in the plaza . Gallardo did not assist , in spite of his desire to accompany Doña Sol . The manager opposed it , alleging the necessity of his resting to be fresh and vigorous on the following afternoon . At midnight the road that leads from the pasture to the plaza was animated like a fair . The windows of the taverns were illuminated , and before them passed linked shadows moving with the steps of the dance to the sound of the pianos . From the inns , the red doorways flashed rectangles of light over the dark ground , and in their interiors arose shouts , laughter , twanging of guitars , and clinking of glasses , a sign that wine circulated in abundance . About one in the morning a horseman passed up the road at a short trot .