midnight
`` My dear fellow , how can you talk such utter nonsense ? '' returned I , trying to persuade myself that I was not pleased , but annoyed , at his insinuations . `` It 's no nonsense , Master Frank , but , as I consider it , a very melancholy statement of facts . Why , even putting aside your ' _ antécédents _ , ' as the French have it , the roasted wrist , the burnt ball-dress , and all the rest of it , look at your present advantages ; here you are , just returned from the university , covered with academical honours , your cheeks paled by deep and abstruse study over the midnight lamp ; your eyes flashing with unnatural lustre , indicative of an overwrought mind ; a graceful languor softening the nervous energy of your manner , and imparting additional tenderness to the ~ 256 ~ ~ fascination of your address ; in fact , till you begin to get into condition again you are the very beau ideal of what the women consider interesting and romantic . '' `` Well done , Freddy , '' replied I , `` we shall discover a hidden vein of poetry in you some of these fine days ; but talking of condition leads me to ask what time your good mother intends us to dine ? '' `` There , now you have spoilt it all , '' was the rejoinder ; `` however , viewed abstractedly , and without reference to the romantic , it 's not such a bad notion either . I 'll ring and inquire . ''