midnight
She seemed thankful that he should prefer to go round on foot . At least , she did not join in her father 's invitation to him . She leaned back , nestling her chin and half closing her eyes , suffering herself to be divided from him , borne away by forces she acquiesced in . Roland was not visible till near midnight on the Piazza . The promenaders , chiefly military of the garrison , were few at that period of social protestation , and he could declare his disappointment aloud , ringingly , as he strolled up to Nevil , looking as if the cigar in his mouth and the fists entrenched in his wide trowsers-pockets were mortally at feud . His adventure had not pursued its course luminously . He had expected romance , and had met merchandize , and his vanity was offended .