midnight
`` Such considered conduct ! '' he commented to himself , approvingly . No chance came to him to talk to Katrine again that night , but , analytical as he was of woman , he could discern no smallest sign that it was by any design of hers , nor that she noted his presence more than that of another . She neither avoided nor sought his glance , and it was not until midnight that he had even a word alone with her . `` I am going to sing , '' she said , turning with a pretty smile toward a group in which he was standing . In a minute he came forward and led her to the piano . `` The Serenade , '' he said .