nine o'clock
A young lady gave a lock of her hair to Lord Nidderdale , although it was known that he was to marry Marie Melmotte . And Miles Grendall got back an I. O. U. of considerable nominal value from Lord Grasslough , who was anxious to accommodate two country cousins who were in London . Gradually the prices fell ; -- not at first from any doubt in Melmotte , but through that customary reaction which may be expected on such occasions . But at eight or nine o'clock on the evening of the party the tickets were worth nothing . The rumour had then spread itself through the whole town from Pimlico to Marylebone . Men coming home from clubs had told their wives . Ladies who had been in the park had heard it .