ten o'clock at night
The Commemoration festivities terminated on Wednesday night with a grand ball at the Music-Room in Holywell Street . This was given by a Lodge of University Freemasons , and John was there with Mr. Gaskell -- whose acquaintance we had made with much gratification -- both wearing blue silk scarves and small white aprons . They introduced us to many other of their friends similarly adorned , and these important and mysterious insignia sat not amiss with their youthful figures and boyish faces . After a long and pleasurable programme , it was decided that we should prolong our visit till the next evening , leaving Oxford at half-past ten o'clock at night and driving to Didcot , there to join the mail for the west . We rose late the next morning and spent the day rambling among the old colleges and gardens of the most beautiful of English cities . At seven o'clock we dined together for the last time at our lodgings in High Street , and my brother proposed that before parting we should enjoy the fine evening in the gardens of St. John 's College . This was at once agreed to , and we proceeded thither , John walking on in front with Constance and Mrs. Temple , and I following with Mr. Gaskell .