midnight
`` There -- my part is done ! '' he muttered , with a long-drawn breath ... `` Now to illuminate the Palace ! If she were to awake in this pitch-black '' -- something like a laugh interrupted the speech -- `` it would strangle her -- oil from the press is not thicker . '' He brought in the light -- in such essential midnight it was indispensable , and must needs be always thought of -- and amongst the things which began to sparkle was a circlet of furbished metal suspended from the centre of the ceiling . It proved to be a chandelier , provided with a number of lamps ready for lighting ; and when they were all lit , the revelation which ensued while a lesson in extravagance was not less a tribute to the good taste of the reckless genius by which it was conceived . It were long reading the inventory of articles he had brought together there for the edification and amusement of such as might become his idols . They were everywhere apparently -- books , pictures , musical instruments -- on the floor , a carpet to delight a Sultana mother -- over the walls , arras of silk and gold in alternate threads -- the ceiling an elaboration of wooden panels .