midnight
Then shivering , though the atmosphere of the room was terribly hot , he drew himself up , and glanced at the clock . It was twenty minutes to twelve . He put the box back , shutting the cabinet doors as he did so , and went into his bedroom . As midnight was striking bronze blows upon the dusky air , Dorian Gray dressed commonly , and with a muffler wrapped round his throat , crept quietly out of the house . In Bond Street he found a hansom with a good horse . He hailed it , and in a low voice gave the driver an address . The man shook his head .