midnight
He wore a large golden star on his breast -LRB- for his fellow-students had made him a Knight of the Golden Boar -RRB- , and a badge of colored ribbons in his button-hole . The ball was a brilliant affair , and everybody was in excellent spirits , especially the ladies . Ralph danced incessantly , twirled his soft mustache , and uttered amiable platitudes . It was toward midnight , just as the company was moving out to supper , that he caught the glance of a pair of dark-blue eyes , which suddenly drove the blood to his cheeks and hastened the beating of his heart . But when he looked once more the dark-blue eyes were gone , and his unruly heart went on hammering against his side . He laid his hand on his breast and glanced furtively at his fair neighbor , but she looked happy and unconcerned , for the flavor of the ice-cream was delicious . It seemed an endless meal , but , when it was done , Ralph rose , led his partner back to the ball-room , and hastily excused himself .