eleven o’clock at night
`` In truth , I think no such thing ; for if you had been blessed with the sense of a midge , you might have done all they have done yourself : and then what a different way your lawful wife and family would have been in ! I am sure I wish it had pleased the saints above to have married me , when they were about it , to such a man as farmer Gray or his sons . '' `` As for the sons , '' said Simon , `` they are a little out of the way in point of age , but to farmer Gray I see no objection in life : and if he sees none , and will change wives , I 'm sure , Ally , I shall be content . '' The sort of composure and dry humour with which Simon made this last speech overcame the small remains of Mrs. O'Dougherty 's patience : she burst into a passion of tears ; and from this hour , it being now past eleven o'clock at night , from this hour till six in the morning she never ceased weeping , wailing , and upbraiding . Simon rose from his sleepless bed , saying , `` The saints above , as you call them , must take care of you now , Ally , any how ; for I 'm fairly tired out : so I must go a-hunting or a-shooting with my friend , Sir Hyacinth O'Brien , to recruit my spirits . '' The unfortunate Simon found , to his mortification , that his horse was so lame he could scarcely walk . Whilst he was considering where he could borrow a horse , just for the day 's hunt , Mr. Hopkins rode into his yard , mounted upon a fine hunter .