midnight
But the latter , lifting his hat , said : `` It is not _ au revoir _ with me , dear Mrs. Tompkins , but _ bon voyage _ ; and , '' he said , lowering his voice , `` imagine the rice and slippers , for I heartily wish you every happiness . '' `` What nonsense , '' with a frown and little stamp of foot . `` Wish me your wishes up ; you are coming , '' and her eyes showed both anger and disappointment . `` Carriages , carriages ; '' shouted the guard , and with a pardon Madame almost locked the door on the skirts of Mrs. Tompkins as the Colonel was saying hurriedly : `` I persuaded him to wait for the midnight and keep me company . '' `` And how glad I am you did , dear old friend , '' said Trevalyon warmly , as they took the dog-cart for home , talking by the way long and earnestly as they drove slowly and absently . After dinner they stretched their limbs on rugs on the lawn under the peaceful June sky ; they had not been here many minutes when their mutual friend the rector , Mr. Douglas , strolled across the park to smoke his pipe with them . `` You see it did not take me long to hear of your advent , '' he said taking the easiest of attitudes on a garden seat .