twelve o'clock
His hostess put her head into the room to look for partners for the ladies , and Lord Uplandtowers came out . Lady Grebe informed him that Barbara had not returned to the ball-room : she had gone to bed in sheer necessity . ` 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 .