midnight
In consequence , the rise and fall of William 's coat , in its caudal parts , as he walked down the aisle with the plate on the Sabbath day , had become part of St. Cuthbert 's ritual -- and we all thought it beautiful . He was one of the two , referred to in the opening of our story , who had been sent to spy out the land , and to report upon the propriety of my conjugal enterprise . The fluent panegyric in which his report was made is already recorded and need not be here repeated . William had a talent for friendship beyond that of any man I ever knew , and this talent flowered into genius only after the clock struck midnight . Never yet was there friend who would stay with you to the last like William Collin , his shortcomings few , his long-stayings many and delicious . For never yet was friend so welcome , never speech more sane and stimulating ; never farewell so sweetly innocent when the clock struck two . May the God of friendship bless thee , William Collin , for all that thy friendship hath been to me !