midnight
He was full of new courage and strength since he had received Z 's message , and he was determined that no one should know what he had suffered . The dinner passed pleasantly enough , and by ten o'clock he was at the musical party . There he found the Wyndhams and many other friends , but he looked in vain for Joe ; she was not there . Before midnight he was at the dance , pushing his way through crowds of acquaintances , stumbling over loving couples ensconced on the landings of the stairs , and running against forlorn old ladies , whose mouths were full of ice-cream and their hearts of bitterness against the younger generation ; and so , at last , he reached the ball-room , where everything that was youngest and most fresh was assembled , swaying and gliding , and backing and turning in the easy , graceful half-walk , half-slide of the Boston step . As John stood looking on , Joe passed him , leaving the room on Mr. Topeka 's arm . There was a little open space before her in the crowd , and Pocock Vancouver darted out with the evident intention of speaking to her . But as she caught sight of him she turned suddenly away , pulling Mr. Topeka round by his arm .