midnight
In three-quarters of an hour the members of the quest party returned . They had been fully rewarded for their trouble ; they had been listening to the nightingale for nearly twenty minutes , they said ; it had been very lovely , they agreed , without a single dissentient voice . It probably was ; at any rate they were very silent for the rest of the night . `` You have begun well , '' said Ella to Herbert , when they found themselves together in the drawing room , later on , shortly before midnight . Someone was playing on the piano , so that the general conversation and yawning were not interfered with . `` You have begun well . You will soon get to know her if your others days here are like to-day .