about midnight
Of course Sir Nicholas was quite unaware that the third child of the old lord , Mabel , had left issue . Do our readers remember it ? Drogo had no real claim on Walderne , and could only succeed by disposition of Sir Nicholas , in the absence of natural heirs . When the party in the hall broke up about midnight , one parting interview took place between the lovers in Lady Sybil 's bower , while the kind lady got as far as her notions of propriety -LRB- which were very strict -RRB- permitted , out of earshot . Oh , those poor young lovers ! She cried , and although Hubert tried hard to restrain it , it was infectious , and he could n't help a tear . But he must go !