midnight
I tried to let him go once , sir , and the old general made me feel so ashamed of myself that I actually cried , sir . '' Peabody and Stevens were the dinner guests to-night , as they were to confer afterward with Langdon and settle on the action of the naval affairs committee regarding the naval base . The three , being a majority , could control the action of the committee . Senator Peabody had finally postponed leaving for Philadelphia until the midnight train in order to be present , he assured Langdon as the trio entered the library . The girls , Norton and Randolph were left to oversee preparations for the prominent Washingtonians invited to attend the musicale to be given later in the evening . Carolina and Hope Georgia were in distinctly different moods -- the elder , vivacious , elated over the bright outlook for her future ; the younger , cast down and wearing a worried expression . Norton and Randolph in jubilant spirit tried to cheer her , and failing , resorted to taunts about some imaginary love affair .