eight o'clock
But he had not been there long before he had resolved that no ministerial career was at present open to him . `` It has been my own fault , '' he said , as he returned to his house , `` and with God 's help I will mend it , if it be possible . '' But he was a slow man , and he did not go off instantly to the Duke . He had given himself to eight o'clock , and he took the full time . He could not go down to the House of Commons because men would make inquiries of him which he would find it difficult to answer . So he dined at home , alone . He had told his wife that he would see her at nine , and before that hour he would not go to her .