ten o'clock
`` Your ladyship knows that dogs in a bed-chamber are unwholesome , '' said Priscilla . `` No , you foolish old thing ; my ladyship knows the contrary ; for his Majesty 's bed-chamber swarms with them , and he has them on his bed even -- whole families -- mothers and their puppies . Why ca n't I have a few dear little mischievous innocents to amuse me in the long dreary nights ? '' By dint of clamour and expostulation the honourable Henriette contrived to stay up till ten o'clock was belled with solemn tone from St. Paul 's Cathedral , which magnificent church was speedily to be put in hand for restoration , at a great expenditure . The wooden scaffolding which had been necessary for a careful examination of the building was still up . Until the striking of the great city clock , Papillon had resolutely disputed the lateness of the hour , putting forward her own timekeeper as infallible -- a little fat round purple enamel watch with diamond figures , and gold hands much bent from being pushed backwards and forwards , to bring recorded time into unison with the young lady 's desires -- a watch to which no sensible person could give the slightest credit . The clocks of London having demonstrated the futility of any reference to that ill-used Geneva toy , she consented to retire , but was reluctant to the last .