midnight
The ring grew smaller and smaller , till they could only find standing-room by clinging close together . As he turned to her she thrust him from her into the sea of fire , crying , `` It 's perfectly fair , Vincent , for you dragged me here against my will ! '' He woke with a snort as the music suddenly ceased . It was midnight . He had to start from home early next morning , and if he delayed longer he would lose the last train out . He parted from Audrey as only the traveller outward bound parts from his betrothed . In fact , as she remarked afterwards , `` For the fuss he made about it he might have been going to the North Pole with his life in his hands .