midnight
Many greater men have made the same mistake , and quite small men with a great name make it every day , thinking complacently that it is a privilege to some woman to minister to their wants while they produce their immortal pictures or deathless books ; whereas , the woman would tend him as carefully were he a crossing-sweeper , and is only following the dictates of an instinct which is loftier than his highest thought and more admirable than his most astounding work of art . Barlasch had not lived so long in the Frauengasse without learning the domestic economy of Sebastian 's household . He knew that Desiree , like many persons with kind blue eyes , shaped her own course through life , and abided by the result with a steadfastness not usually attributed to the light-hearted . He concluded that he must make ready to take the road again before midnight . He therefore gave a careful and businesslike attention to the simple meal set before him by Lisa ; and , looking up over his plate , he saw for the second time in his life Sebastian hurrying into his own kitchen . Barlasch half rose , and then , in obedience to a gesture from Sebastian , or remembering perhaps the sturdy Republicanism which he had not learnt until middle-age , he sat down again , fork in hand . `` You are prepared to accompany Madame Darragon to Thorn ? ''