midnight
I very particularly desire you to let her know that I was not to blame . '' Mountfalcon rang the bell , and bowed him out . With this on his mind Ripton hurried down to those who were waiting in joyful trust at Raynham . The watch consulted by Hippias alternately with his pulse , in occult calculation hideous to mark , said half-past eleven on the midnight . Adrian , wearing a composedly amused expression on his dimpled plump face , -- held slightly sideways , aloof from paper and pen , -- sat writing at the library table . Round the baronet 's chair , in a semi-circle , were Lucy , Lady Blandish , Mrs. Doria , and Ripton , that very ill bird at Raynham . They were silent as those who question the flying minutes .