midnight
`` You jest , '' said Lady Montfort ; `` I am quite serious . No one can deceive me ; would that they could ! I have the fatal gift of reading persons , and penetrating motives , however deep or complicated their character , and what I tell you about Lord Montfort is unhappily too true . '' In the meantime , while this interesting conversation was taking place , the gentleman who had been the object of Lady Montfort 's eulogium , the gentleman who always out-manoeuvred her friends at every corner , was , though it was approaching midnight , walking up and down Carlton Terrace with an agitated and indignant countenance , and not alone . `` I tell you , Mr. Waldershare , I know it ; I have it almost from Lord Beaumaris himself ; he has declined to support our man , and no doubt will give his influence to the enemy . '' `` I do not believe that Lord Beaumaris has made any engagement whatever . '' `` A pretty state of affairs ! ''