midnight
But nowhere among the costumed dancers did he see her slender figure . He danced with one and all , distrait and absent , a stupid partner as each girl discovered , his eyes ever turning towards the door and windows , hoping to catch the luring face , the vision that did not come ... and at length , hoping even against hope . For the ball-room thinned ; groups left one by one , going home to their hotels and chalets ; the band tired obviously ; people sat drinking lemon-squashes at the little tables , the men mopping their foreheads , everybody ready for bed . It was close on midnight . As Hibbert passed through the hall to get his overcoat and snow-boots , he saw men in the passage by the `` sport-room , '' greasing their ski against an early start . Knapsack luncheons were being ordered by the kitchen swing doors . He sighed .