two o'clock
He had made his propositions in regard to money which he was quite aware were as liberal as was fit . If she would now fix a day for their marriage , he would be a happy man . If she would not bring herself to do this , then he would have no alternative but to regard their engagement as at an end . At two o'clock the guests were nearly all gone . The Major was alive , and likely to live at least for some hours , and the Rufford people generally were glad that they had not put off the ball . Some of them who were staying in the house had already gone to bed , and Lady Penwether , with Miss Penge at her side , was making her last adieux in the drawing-room . The ball-room was reached from the drawing-room , with a vestibule between them , and opening from this was a small chamber , prettily furnished but seldom used , which had no peculiar purpose of its own , but in which during the present evening many sweet words had probably been spoken .