midnight
The complacent consciousness of producing a fine effect in evening-clothes had given to Mr. Stormont Thorpe habitually now a mildness of manner , after the dressing hour , which was lacking to his deportment in the day-time . The conventional attire of ceremony , juggled in the hands of an inspired tailor , had been brought to lend to his ponderous figure a dignity , and even something of a grace , which the man within assimilated and made his own . It was an equable and rather amiable Thorpe whom people encountered after nightfall -- a gentleman who looked impressive enough to have powerful performances believed of him , yet seemed withal an approachable and easy-going person . Men who saw him at midnight or later spoke of him to their womenkind with a certain significant reserve , in which trained womankind read the suggestion that the `` Rubber King '' drank a good deal , and was probably not wholly nice in his cups . This , however , could not be said to render him less interesting in any eyes . There was indeed about it the implication of a generous nature , or at the least of a blind side -- and it is not unpleasant to discover these attributes in a new man who has made his half-million , and has , or may have , countless favours to bestow . It was as if his tongue instead of his eyes had uttered the exclamation -- `` Ah , then she has told you ! ''