about midnight
Fortunately ` Pollo had his fiddling to do , and this saved him from any conspicuous folly . But he kept his eyes on her , and when she grew too ravishingly lovely to his fond vision , and he could n't stand it a minute longer in silence , he turned to the man next him , who played the bones , and remarked , `` Ef -- ef anybody but Gord A'mighty had a-made anything as purty as Miss Lily , dey 'd ` a ' stinted it somewhar , '' and , watching every turn , he lent his bow to her varying moods while she tired out one dancer after another . It was the New Orleans fellow who first lost his head utterly . He had danced with her but three times , but while she took another 's hand and whizzed through the figures he scarcely took his eyes from her , and when , at about midnight , he succeeded in getting her apart for a promenade , he poured forth his soul to her in the picturesque English of the quadroon quarter of New Orleans . `` An ' now , to proof to you my lorv , Ma 'm ` selle Lee-lee '' -- he gesticulated vigorously as he spoke -- `` I am geeving you wan beau-u-tiful Christmas present -- I am goin ' to geeve you -- w ` at you t ` ink ? My borgee ! '' With this he turned dramatically and faced her .