about seven o'clock
Just then he returned , and something in his look , some dumb expression of delight at her occupation , made her blush and hesitate for an instant ; but then she went on , and made a cup of tea ready , saying something a little incoherent all the time about her mother 's need of it . After tea Bell Robson 's weariness became so extreme , that Philip and Sylvia urged her to go to bed . She resisted a little , partly out of ` manners , ' and partly because she kept fancying , poor woman , that somehow or other her husband might send for her . But about seven o'clock Sylvia persuaded her to come upstairs . Sylvia , too , bade Philip good-night , and his look followed the last wave of her dress as she disappeared up the stairs ; then leaning his chin on his hand , he gazed at vacancy and thought deeply -- for how long he knew not , so intent was his mind on the chances of futurity . He was aroused by Sylvia 's coming down-stairs into the sitting-room again . He started up .