midnight
There was something grateful to Abel Newt in the wide sphere and complicated relations of the political capital , of which the atmosphere was one of intrigue , and which was built over the mines and countermines of selfishness . He hoodwinked all Belch 's spies , so that the Honorable Mr. Ele could never ascertain any thing about his colleague , until once when he discovered that the report upon the Grant was to be brought in within a day or two by the Committee , and that it would be recommended , upon which he hastened to Abel 's lodging . He found him smoking as usual , with a decanter at hand . It was past midnight , and the room was in the disorder of a bachelor 's sanctum . Mr. Ele seated himself carelessly , so carelessly that Abel saw at once that he had come for some very particular purpose . He offered his friend a tumbler and a cigar , and they talked nimbly of a thousand things . Who had come , who had gone , and how superb Mrs. Delilah Jones was , who had suddenly appeared upon the scene , invested with mystery , and bringing a note to each of the colleagues from General Belch .