six o'clock
`` But there are beautiful things in it ; children , you know . I should n't have said what I did . '' They let a silence elapse as if to swallow up the memory of the things Marie should n't have said , and after it he asked : `` What time shall we go ? '' At six o'clock they were speeding down Cannon Street , along the Strand , and the gaudier thoroughfares of the West , in a taxicab , to Julia 's flat . Her delight at seeing Marie was obvious , but a veil of reserve seemed to drop over her vivid , strong face when she saw who escorted her . Rokeby would not take leave of Marie on the threshold , though ; he followed her in and sat down , asking if he might stay . There was about him an air of smiling determination , and his eyes obstinately sought Julia 's , which as obstinately avoided his .