midnight
When Mrs. Churchill 's orders were made known , they caused many secret marvellings and murmurings . Corkscrew and Felix were disconcerted , and dared not openly avow their discontent ; and they treated Franklin with the greatest seeming kindness and cordiality . Everything went on smoothly for three days . The butler never attempted his usual midnight visits to the alehouse , but went to bed in proper time , and paid particular court to Mrs. Pomfret , in order to dispel her suspicions . She had never had any idea of the real fact , that he and Felix were joined in a plot with house-breakers to rob the house , but thought he only went out at irregular hours to indulge himself in his passion for drinking . Thus stood affairs the night before Mrs. Churchill 's birthday . Corkscrew , by the housekeeper 's means , ventured to present a petition that he might go to the play the next day , and his request was granted .