ten o'clock
Now to see the figure of her who had withheld appear there quite unaccompanied , as though rising in response to his meditations , almost startled him . She did not see him until he reached her side and lifted his hat ; not even then , for she was looking across the avenue with something of absorption in her manner , until he spoke her name . Even as he murmured , `` Miss Terroll , '' the inflection of surprise remained in his voice . It was well after ten o'clock and in those circles of society where he was received the system of chaperonage was rigid enough to fail of understanding for the women who dared the streets at night unescorted . He knew ladies who went to their several rostrums to sound the clarion of sex equality and who went at night , but they did not go uncavaliered . And under the lights this slim figure , with its easy , almost boyish independence , seemed very young , almost childish . She turned , at his greeting , and her eyes must have read his thoughts , for once more they smiled and in the smile was an amused twinkle .