midnight
We talked awhile of that then ; she asked me a number of questions that may be imagined under such circumstances : and my answers also can be imagined ; and we spoke of a great number of things , she and I riding side by side in the dark , our very horses friendly one with another -- she telling me all of how she went to Court , and why she went , and I telling her my side of the affair -- until at last in Puckeridge a man ran out from the inn yard to say that our party was within and waiting for us . They had met , it appeared , a rustic fellow who had set them right , soon after they had lost us . I do not know what they thought at first ; but I know what they thought in the end ; for I rated them very soundly for not keeping nearer to us ; and bade James ride ahead with the lantern with all the rest between , and Dolly and I in the rear to keep them from straying again . In this manner then did she and I contrive to have a great deal more conversation before we came a little before midnight to Hare Street . The village was all dark as we came through it ; and all dark was the House when we pushed open the yard gates and rode in . We went through and beat upon the door , and presently heard a window thrown up . `` Who is there ? ''