midnight
` She has been so excited over the ball all day , ' her mother continued , ` that I feared she would be worn out early ... But sure , Lord Uplandtowers , you wo n't be leaving yet ? ' He said that it was near twelve o'clock , and that some had already left . ` I protest nobody has gone yet , ' said Lady Grebe . To humour her he stayed till midnight , and then set out . He had made no progress in his suit ; but he had assured himself that Barbara gave no other guest the preference , and nearly everybody in the neighbourhood was there . `` Tis only a matter of time , ' said the calm young philosopher . The next morning he lay till near ten o'clock , and he had only just come out upon the head of the staircase when he heard hoofs upon the gravel without ; in a few moments the door had been opened , and Sir John Grebe met him in the hall , as he set foot on the lowest stair .