midnight
he asked , with the greatest deference . And it must be recorded that in making the offer Mr. Vandeford was not bidding for the distinction conferred on him in the next few seconds . `` That will be delightful , '' exclaimed the young woman . `` And , Mr. Vandeford , here is a latch-key to the front door , to use to-night if you and Miss Adair are a little later than midnight in coming home . Remember to give it to her after you have put her inside the door and tell her to hang it on the rack opposite the number of her room . There she comes now ! '' Mr. Vandeford accepted the latch-key of the Y. W. C. A. with awe and looked at it as he would have looked at a decoration handed him by the Metropolitan governors .