Midnight
Often they separated , curving about in corners by themselves , but always coming together again in the centre of the rink ; and when she left him thus Hibbert was conscious of -- yes , of missing her . He found a peculiar satisfaction , almost a fascination , in skating by her side . It was quite an adventure -- these two strangers with the ice and snow and night ! Midnight had long since sounded from the old church tower before they parted . She gave the sign , and he skated quickly to the shed , meaning to find a seat and help her take her skates off . Yet when he turned -- she had already gone . He saw her slim figure gliding away across the snow ... and hurrying for the last time round the rink alone he searched in vain for the opening she had twice used in this curious way .