ten o’clock
`` And the coachman told you that he had driven me here ? '' said Ella . `` Quite so , '' replied the husband . `` But , you see , I had some little hesitation in coming here at half-past ten o'clock to make inquiries about my wife -- you might have gone to some place else , you know , in which case I should have looked a trifle foolish ; so I though that , on the whole , my best plan would be to drop in upon Mr. Ayrton at the House of Commons and drive here with him when he was coming home for the night . I took it for granted that even so earnest a legislator as Mr. Ayrton allows himself his nights -- after twelve , of course -- at home . I 'm very sorry I startled you , Ella . It shall not occur again . ''