midnight
`` What 's the matter with just us four dropping down to the Palace for a whirl or two ? '' Claire stared . She had not grown used to the novelty of being included , but any instinctive objections to the plan were promptly silenced by Mrs. Condor 's enthusiastic approval . They arrived at the Palace Hotel shortly before midnight . The Rose Room was crowded . All the tables seemed filled , and Claire had a moment of disappointment caused by the fear that their party would be unable to gain admittance . But young Edington 's presence soon set any uneasiness on that score at rest , and a place was evolved with deftness and despatch .