midnight
Ned Bowfort had not been included in the house-party ; but on the day of its dispersal he rode over unannounced for luncheon , put up his horse in the stable , threaded his way familiarly among the dozing dogs in the hall , greeted Mrs. Ansell and Justine with just the right shade of quiet deference , produced from his pocket a new puzzle-game for Cicely , and sat down beside her mother with the quiet urbanity of the family friend who knows his privileges but is too discreet to abuse them . After that he came every day , sometimes riding home late to the Hunt Club , sometimes accompanying Bessy and Mrs. Carbury to town for dinner and the theatre ; but always with his deprecating air of having dropped in by accident , and modestly hoping that his intrusion was not unwelcome . The following Sunday brought another influx of visitors , and Bessy seemed to fling herself with renewed enthusiasm into the cares of hospitality . She had avoided Justine since their midnight talk , contriving to see her in Cicely 's presence , or pleading haste when they found themselves alone . The winter was unusually open , and she spent long hours in the saddle when her time was not taken up with her visitors . For a while she took Cicely on her daily rides ; but she soon wearied of adapting her hunter 's stride to the pace of the little girl 's pony , and Cicely was once more given over to the coachman 's care . Then came snow and a long frost , and Bessy grew restless at her imprisonment , and grumbled that there was no way of keeping well in a winter climate which made regular exercise impossible .