midnight
`' Tis the inevitable lot of humanity , ' said Sidonia . ` Man must ever be the slave of routine : but in old days it was a routine of great thoughts , and now it is a routine of little ones . ' The evening glided on ; the dance succeeded the song ; the ladies were fast vanishing ; Coningsby himself was meditating a movement , when Lord Beaumanoir , as he passed him , said , ` Come to Lucian Gay 's room ; we are going to smoke a cigar . ' This was a favourite haunt , towards midnight , of several of the younger members of the party at the Castle , who loved to find relaxation from the decorous gravities of polished life in the fumes of tobacco , the inspiration of whiskey toddy , and the infinite amusement of Lucian Gay 's conversation and company . This was the genial hour when the good story gladdened , the pun flashed , and the song sparkled with jolly mirth or saucy mimicry . To-night , being Coningsby 's initiation , there was a special general meeting of the Grumpy Club , in which everybody was to say the gayest things with the gravest face , and every laugh carried a forfeit . Lucian was the inimitable president .