the hour of ten
You have been imprudent in staying so late . I must run and tell Lady Armine . ' ` Oblige me , I pray , by not doing so , ' said Glastonbury ; ` Miss Grandison most particularly requested that she should not be disturbed . ' It was with some difficulty that Glastonbury could contrive that Miss Grandison 's wishes should be complied with ; but at length he succeeded in getting Sir Ratcliffe to sit down to dinner , and affecting a cheerfulness which was far from his spirit , the hour of ten at length arrived , and Glastonbury , before retiring to his tower , paid his evening visit to Ferdinand . _ In Which the Family Perplexities Rather Increase than Diminish _ . IF EVER there were a man who deserved a serene and happy life it was Adrian Glastonbury . He had pursued a long career without injuring or offending a human being ; his character and conduct were alike spotless ; he was void of guile ; he had never told a falsehood , never been entangled in the slightest deceit ; he was easy in his circumstances ; he had no relations to prey upon his purse or his feelings ; and , though alone in the world , was blessed with such a sweet and benignant temper , gifted with so many resources , and adorned with so many accomplishments , that he appeared to be always employed , amused , and contented .