twelve o'clock before
Later the three spent a quiet evening together in the library , and it was eleven o'clock when Grace and Elfreda turned their steps homeward . To her father and mother , who had reached home ahead of her , Grace recounted the details of Jean 's visit . They received the glad tidings with a joy second only to her own . Another hour slipped swiftly by before the household retired , and it was half-past twelve o'clock before Grace bade Elfreda good-night and softly closed the door of her room . Alone with her own thoughts , she curled up on a cushioned window seat and gazed meditatively out upon the still autumn night . Through the open window a soft wind caressingly touched her rapt face . It sighed through the trees , sending an occasional leaf to earth with a faint protesting rustle .