midnight
With a half crushed hat he dances in the middle of the room quite alone , in the happy conviction that everybody is looking at him , while a blessed comrade had come to the pass of dropping his head back upon the back of his chair , only waking up when they summon him to drink with him -- though he does not know whether he is drinking wine or tanner 's ooze . But the fever does not increase indefinitely . Like other attacks of fever , it has a crisis , beyond which a turn sets in ! After midnight the uproarious clamor subsided . The first heating influence of the wine had already worked itself out . One or two who could not fight with it , gave in and lay down to sleep , while the others remained in their places , continuing the drinking-bout , not for the sake of inebriety , merely out of principle , that they might show they would not allow themselves to be overcome by wine . This is where the real heroes ' part begins , of those whom the first glass did not loosen , nor the tenth tie their tongues .