midnight
Horace sometimes used it as a smoking-room , but otherwise it was seldom visited , except when the house was full of guests and all the old part was thrown open . It was a long and high room , finished in dark wood , and decorated with moldering portraits in the worst possible style of art . At one end was a gigantic fire-place , which was closed by a screen of boards . `` He told me , '' continued Horace , `` that he was passing through here late last night -- near midnight , he said -- and that he saw Lavina Richmond standing just about where you stand now . `` He came in by that door , behind me , and she was directly facing him . He says that he did n't move or yell , or do anything , but just stood staring at her . `` She paid no attention whatever to him , but passed across the room and went out by that other door , which opened as she approached and closed after her of itself .