midnight
observed Errington gaily . `` Come along , let 's have some champagne to celebrate the day ! We 'll propose toasts and drink healths -- we 've got a fair excuse for jollity this evening . '' They all descended into the saloon , and had a merry time of it , singing songs and telling good stories , Lorimer being the gayest of the party , and it was long past midnight when they retired to their cabins , without even looking at the wonders of , perhaps , the most gorgeous sky that had yet shone on their travels -- a sky of complete rose-color , varying from the deepest shade up to the palest , in which the sun glowed with a subdued radiance like an enormous burning ruby . Thelma saw it , standing under her house-porch , where her father had joined her , -- Sigurd saw it , -- he had come out from some thicket where he had been hiding , and he now sat , in a humble , crouching posture at Thelma 's feet . All three were silent , reverently watching the spreading splendor of the heavens . Once Güldmar addressed his daughter in a soft tone .