midnight
`` Thank you , Germain , '' said the young wife in a serious tone and with deep feeling . `` I shall die with it , and if I die before you , you must keep it for your little Solange . '' They remounted their horses , and rode rapidly back to Belair . The banquet was a sumptuous affair , and lasted , intermingled with dancing and singing , until midnight . The old people did not leave the table for fourteen hours . The grave-digger did the cooking , and did it very well . He was renowned for that , and he left his ovens to come and dance and sing between every two courses .