midnight
`` May I mention Mistress Lucy 's affairs to him ? He was accounted a good lawyer until that unhappy business of my father 's will , and as he has no reason to love the Cluddes , or his nephew either , I am sure he would give the best advice he knows . '' `` Do so , by all means ; ` twill be some comfort to know that my man is taking the right course . '' We sat till near midnight , and Mr. Allardyce recovered something of his usual good spirits before I rose to say good night . As he shook hands with me he broke into a sudden laugh . `` Egad ! '' he cried , `` I had forgot to ask you whether you still have that crown piece you were so loath to part with . ''