eight o’clock
` If I were to repeat that to him he 'd go wild with delight . But do n't be afraid ; I sha n't . I 'll ask him to come for an hour , and trust to his discretion not to bore us by staying too long . ' A note was posted to Whelpdale ; he was invited to present himself at eight o'clock , by which time Marian would have arrived . Jasper 's room was to be the scene of the assembly , and punctual to the minute the literary adviser appeared . He was dressed with all the finish his wardrobe allowed , and his face beamed with gratification ; it was rapture to him to enter the presence of these three girls , one of whom he had , _ more suo _ , held in romantic remembrance since his one meeting with her at Jasper 's old lodgings . His eyes melted with tenderness as he approached Dora and saw her smile of gracious recognition .