about ten o'clock
But I did not go near enough for him to see me ; for I would trouble him now no further than I need . All this time -- or at least now and again -- I wondered a little as to whether I was right to go . I will not deny that the prospect of remaining had a little allurement in it ; but it was truly not more than a little ; and as evening fell and my heart went inwards again , as hearts do when the curtains are drawn , I wondered that it had been any allurement at all : for my life lay buried in the churchyard of Hormead Parva , and I had best bury the rest of me in the place where at least I had a few friends left . After supper , about ten o'clock , I put on my cloak and went across to the Duchess of Portsmouth 's lodgings , where the _ levée _ was held usually on such evenings . My man James went with me to light me there . I do not think I have seen a more splendid sight , very often , than that great gallery , when I came into it that night , passing on my way through the closet where I had once talked with Her Grace . It was all alight from end to end with candles in cressets , and on the great round table at the further end where the company was playing basset , stood tall candlesticks amidst all the gold .