midnight
Hannaford took her hand and laid it on his arm . She allowed it to rest there , depending unconsciously on the support he gave . They did not speak again until they had reached the top of the hill , turned the corner , and arrived at the steps of the Hôtel de Paris . Because Lady Dauntrey had chosen to make a late entrance on the scene , it was after midnight now , though Mary and Hannaford had come away comparatively early from the dance . The Casino was shut , but Christmas eve festivities were going on in the restaurant , as well as in the brilliantly lit Moorish Café de Paris on the opposite side of the _ Place _ . Mary 's longing for peace and quiet in `` coming home '' was jarred out of her mind by the gay music and lights , and sounds of distant laughter which seemed to have followed her mockingly from the yacht . But they brought her out of herself ; and standing on the lowest step she thanked Hannaford for all that he had done .