the noon of night
He had considerable powers of mimicry , and the talent that had pictured to Venetia in old days , with such liveliness , the habits of the old maids of Morpeth , was now engaged on more considerable topics ; an interview with a pasha , a peep into a harem , a visit to a pirate 's isle , the slave-market , the bazaar , the barracks of the janissaries , all touched with irresistible vitality , and coloured with the rich phrases of unrivalled force of expression . The laughter was loud and continual ; even Lady Annabel joined zealously in the glee . As for Herbert , he thought Cadurcis by far the most hearty and amusing person he had ever known , and could not refrain from contrasting him with the picture which his works and the report of the world had occasionally enabled him to sketch to his mind 's eye ; the noble , young , and impassioned bard , pouring forth the eloquent tide of his morbid feelings to an idolising world , from whose applause he nevertheless turned with an almost misanthropic melancholy . It was now much past the noon of night , and the hour of separation , long postponed , was inevitable . Often had Cadurcis risen to depart , and often , without regaining his seat , had he been tempted by his friends , and especially Venetia , into fresh narratives . At last he said , ` Now we must go . Lady Annabel looks good night .