nearly midnight
`` Ay , ay ! '' came from twenty throats , followed by a rousing cheer . And so it happened that they reached _ terra firma _ about six in the afternoon . But Weymouth , while it is geographically not far distant from Blanford , is miles away by the railroad and its connections , and they did not reach the palace till nearly midnight . Everything was dark and still , and as they stood shivering in the porch , the Bishop remarked , producing his latch-key : `` Do you know I -- I 'm really afraid to open the door . '' She gave his hand a reassuring squeeze , and they entered softly . `` Is there anything I can get for the Leopard , before she retires ? ''