eleven
o'clock
He even turned to look back on the lighted ball-room , as if SHE might have been looking out , too . But he knew he should see her again to-morrow , and he hurriedly put aside all reserve , all thought of the future , all examination of his conduct , to walk home enwrapped in the vaguer pleasure of the past . Rupert Filgee , to whom he had never given a second thought , now peacefully slumbering beside his baby brother , had not gone home in more foolish or more dangerous company . When he reached the hotel , he was surprised to find it only eleven o'clock . No one had returned , the building was deserted by all but the bar-keeper and a flirting chambermaid , who regarded him with aggrieved astonishment . He began to feel very foolish , and half regretted that he had not stayed to dance with Mrs. Tripp ; or , at least , remained as a quiet onlooker apart from the others . With a hasty excuse about returning to write letters for the morning 's post , he took a candle and slowly remounted the stairs to his room .