midnight
During that visit , however , he had no chance . Moultrie sat persistently , and so did Abel . The clock pointed to eleven , and still they did not move . It was fairly toward midnight when Abel rose to leave , and at the same moment Sligo Moultrie rose also . Abel bade the ladies good-evening , and passed out as if Moultrie were close by him . But that young man remained standing by the sofa upon which Grace Plumer was seated , and said quietly to Abel , `` Good-evening , Newt ! '' Grace Plumer looked at him also , with the bright black eyes , and blushed .