midnight
Oh , almost certain , I should say . Then we could carry them off to supper , and after that Pastora might try over her duet with Damon . But as regards the Mellords , Mr. Moore , '' said she , with a pleasant smile , as he handed her into her brougham , which had been brought round to the stage-door , `` I shall consider you to be under my protection , and I will take care no one shall ask you to sing . '' `` But you know , Lady Adela , I am always delighted to sing for any friend of yours , '' said he , promptly enough ; and then , when he and Lord Rockminster had entered the carriage , and the footman had shut the door and got on the box , away they drove through the busy midnight world of London . It did not take them long to get from the New Theatre to the house of the famous Academician ; and here , late as it was , they found plenty of people still arriving , a small crowd of onlookers scanning the various groups as they crossed the pavement . On this hot night in May , it seemed pleasantly cool to get into the great hall of white and black marble , where the miniature lake , on which floated an alabaster swan , was all banked round with flowers ; and when Lady Adela had dispossessed herself of her long plush coat , it was evident she had dressed for the reception before going to the theatre , for now she appeared in a costume of silver-gray satin with a very considerable train , while there were diamond stars in her light brown hair , and at her bosom a bunch of deep crimson roses . At the head of the stairs they encountered Mrs. Mellord , who received the famous young baritone with the most marked kindness .