midnight
`` Everly , '' demanded his host , `` what is the meaning of all this ? '' having heard from Tisdale Follard , not two hours before , that Mrs. Haughton had given him permission to press his suit with Miss Tompkins , Madame always considering Everly her own property . `` Allow me one moment , '' said Delrose following Kate in her exit . `` I find I must bid you and the Colonel adieu ; I go to London by the midnight , from whence I think , across the water . '' In spite of herself the colour came and went in Kate 's cheeks . `` Are they all mad , '' she thought ; `` is he acting or what ? '' The Colonel , relieved , and still feeling that he did not much care , now that he had the sympathetic friendship of Alice Esmondet near , whether he remained at Rose cottage or no , still said , giving his hand .