ten o'clock
Now he imagined that he saw Madeleine only in the presence of her new friends , -- that she was cold and reserved , and allowed him no opportunity of uttering a word that could reach _ her _ ear alone . Now he fancied she had granted him a private interview , -- that she was sitting by his side , but resolute , unconvinced , unmoved , while he besieged her with arguments , appealed to her with all the passionate fervor that convulsed his soul , portrayed in darkest colors the fearful results of her inflexibility . Now he painted her overwhelmed by his reasoning , melted by his application , terrified by that terrible menace , and finally consenting to his petition . It was past ten o'clock when the train reached the London terminus . The loquacious Edinburgh housekeeper had informed him that Lady Vivian was the guest of Lady Augusta Langdon . The lateness of the hour forbade a visit that night ; yet , after having engaged a room at Morley 's hotel , he could not help strolling in the direction of Grosvenor Square , and was soon searching for the number he had written upon his tablets . It was easily found , and Maurice stood before one of the most sumptuous of the magnificent edifices which adorn that aristocratic locality .