eight o'clock
`` In thinking over the position of Lilama and Pym , you must consider that the older members of the family would probably not soon hear of such a thing as love between these two , and , even when they did hear of it , would have little doubt of being able to ` control the situation ' as they should please . Then , with the ideas possessed by the Hili-lites , there would not arise any very serious objection to a union by marriage of Lilama and young Pym . The Hili-lites believed the feelings to be a guide to true happiness ; and whilst they would certainly have controlled the circumstances leading up to the seemingly unwise marriage of a girl of sixteen -- for they believed also in a proper education of the feelings -- they would not have prevented even a seemingly unwise marriage , provided the feelings of those concerned loudly demanded such a union -- I mean that if in _ reason _ such a marriage should seem unwise -- But enough . The hour is late , and I shall not before to-morrow evening at eight o'clock begin a description of the exciting scenes through which the beautiful Lilama was so soon to pass , and the adventures of Pym and Peters -- adventures so terrible that for centuries to come they will descend , a thrilling romance , from generation to generation , in those usually quiet and peaceful islands . '' And then , against my protest , he took his departure . The THIRTEENTH Chapter The following morning , after leaving the hotel on some trifling errand , I returned to find Arthur awaiting me . He stood by my table , and occupied himself in turning the leaves of one of my books .