Midnight
For surely his lord will slay him when he knows what he hath done , '' said Sada . Suddenly she put her head on Eldris 's shoulder and wept ; and Eldris , by way of showing sympathy , having love sorrows of her own , put her arms about her and wept also . The lord Eudemius laid himself upon his couch of ebon and carved ivory with the air of a man whose work has been well done . Midnight was long gone , the great house was quiet , and the desire of his heart stood forth in fulfilment . He had a son ; his dying house was propped with fresh strength and vigor , and the gods of the shades might claim him when they would . One week ago had the marriage been celebrated . Each night since there had been feasts , with at every feast new dishes contrived , new sports and entertainments offered , new souvenirs of price distributed , to provide the jaded senses of his guests with fresh gratification .