eleven o'clock
Nor did circumstances favour him when the company finally broke up , and retired for the night . He had thought this moment might be propitious , but she calmly outgeneraled him again , suddenly bidding the men remain and smoke as long as they pleased , and , disappearing herself up the stairway with Miss Willis , without so much as a glance backward , indicative of any lingering interest . West , convinced that her retirement was final , and early wearying of the rather drowsy conversation about him , soon sought his own room . It was eleven o'clock of a bright , moonlight night , and , feeling in no degree sleepy , West seated himself at the window to finish his cigar . He heard the others pass along the hall on their way to the rooms assigned them , and finally all became quiet , even the servants apparently having retired . Outside was likewise noiseless , the moon revealing the scene almost as clearly as though it was day , yet leaving weird shadows to confuse the eye . Occasionally a belated motor car passed along the road , invisible because of the trees .