midnight
Ordinarily , this was a household of hilarious temperament . Life had been good to the Briscoes , and they loved it . They were fond of rich viands , old wines , genial talk , good stories , practical jests , music , and sport ; the wife herself being more than a fair shot , a capital whip , and a famous horsewoman . Even when there was no stranger within the gates , the fires would flare merrily till midnight , the old songs echo , and the hours speed away on winged sandals . But this evening neither host nor hostess could originate a sentence in the presence of what seemed to their sentimental persuasions the awful tragedy of two hearts . Indeed , conversation on ordinary lines would have been impossible , but that Bayne with an infinite self-confidence , as it seemed to Mrs. Briscoe , took the centre of the stage and held it . All Bayne 's spirit was up !