midnight
she exclaimed . And he waited , though it took a long time yet . There were several people , at the end , who seemed tethered to the carpet . The Countess Gemini , who was never herself till midnight , as she said , displayed no consciousness that the entertainment was over ; she had still a little circle of gentlemen in front of the fire , who every now and then broke into a united laugh . Osmond had disappeared -- he never bade good-bye to people ; and as the Countess was extending her range , according to her custom at this period of the evening , Isabel had sent Pansy to bed . Isabel sat a little apart ; she too appeared to wish her sister-in-law would sound a lower note and let the last loiterers depart in peace . `` May I not say a word to you now ? ''