midnight
He did not appear that evening , not even to listen to Lucia 's music , for his misery was heavy upon him . Mercifully , he was able to forget it for a while in attending to the work that waited for him ; an article for _ The Planet _ to be written ; proofs to correct and manuscripts to look through for _ Metropolis _ ; all neglected till the last possible moment , which moment had now come . For once he reaped the benefit of his reckless habits of postponement . But four hours saw him through it ; and midnight recalled him to his care . Instead of undressing he refilled his lamp , made up his fire , and drew his chair to the hearth . There was a question , put off , too , like his work , from hour to hour , and silenced by the scuffling , meaningless movements of the day . It related to the promise he had made to Lucia Harden at the end of their last interview .