midnight
Each item was alternated with a round of drink of some kind , no one ever knew what . Towards ten o'clock the white waistcoat of the influential critic made its appearance . He only stayed an hour , and was very sober in the consumption of refreshments . At midnight , as there was no more wood , and it was very cold , the guests who were seated drew lots as to who should cast his chair into the fire . By one o'clock every one was standing . Amiable gaiety did not cease to reign amongst the guests . There were no accidents to be regretted , with the exception of a rent in the foreign languages pocket of Colline 's swallow-tail and a smack in the face given by Schaunard to the daughter of Cromwell 's Lord Chancellor .