midnight
They were all very happy and merry , for Stanley was recounting with graphic power some of the incidents of his recent voyage . Mr Durant was rich enough to take the loss of his vessel with great equanimity -- all the more so that it had been fully insured . Mr Queeker was in a state of bliss in consequence of having been received graciously by Fanny , whose soul was aflame with sentiment so powerful that she could not express it except through the medium of a giggle . Only once had Fanny been enabled to do full justice to herself , and that was when , alone with Katie in the mysterious gloom of a midnight confabulation , she suddenly observed that size and looks in men were absolutely nothing -- less than nothing -- and that in her estimation heart and intellect were everything ! In the midst of his mirth Mr Durant suddenly turned to Queeker and said -- `` By the way , what made you so late of coming to-night , Queeker ? I thought you had promised to come to tea . '' `` Well , yes , but -- a -- that is , '' stammered Queeker in confusion , `` in fact I was obliged to keep an appointment in connection with the -- the particular business -- '' `` The secret mission , in short , '' observed Katie , with a peculiar smile .