midnight
Friends came to lunch with them . In the afternoon , they made three calls . At dinner some score of persons were Mrs. Toplady 's guests . Only as the clock pointed towards midnight did they find an opportunity of returning to the subject of bio-sociology . Mrs. Toplady wished for an intimate chat with her guest , who was soon to leave her ; she reclined comfortably in a settee , and looked at the girl , who made a pretty picture in a high-backed chair . `` I hear that Mr. Lashmar leaves Rivenoak to-morrow , '' she said , referring to a letter that had arrived from Lady Ogram this evening . `` I hope he wo n't be gone when the magazine arrives . ''