midnight
His Eugenia could never grow old -- could never alter -- could never leave the eternal sunshine of dead autumns . In his nostrils was the keen sweetness of old-fashioned flowers , but his thoughts were not of them , and , turning presently , he went back as he had come . It was dark when at last he reached the judge 's house and sat down to supper . He was with the judge until midnight , when , before going to his room , he descended the stairs and went out upon the porch . He had been thinking of the elections three days hence , and the outcome seemed to him more hopeful than it had done when he first came forward as a candidate . The uncertainty was almost as great , this he granted ; but behind him he believed to be the pressure of the people 's will -- which the schemes of politicians had not turned . Tuesday would prove nothing -- nor had the conventions that had been held ; when the meeting of the caucus came , he would still be in ignorance -- unaware of traps that had been laid or surprises to be sprung .