the hour of ten
Though he loved his nephew 's person , and admired his parts , he considered him often as a little petulant jackanapes , who presumed upon his superior understanding ; and as for Sir Launcelot , there was something in his character that overawed the seaman , and kept him at a disagreeable distance . He had , in this dilemma , cast his eyes upon Timothy Crabshaw , and admitted him to a considerable share of familiarity and fellowship . These companions had been employed in smoking a social pipe at an alehouse in the neighbourhood , when the knight made his excursion ; and returning to the house about supper-time , found Mr. Clarke in waiting . The young lawyer was alarmed when he heard the hour of ten , without seeing our adventurer , who had been used to be extremely regular in his economy ; and the captain and he supped in profound silence . Finding , upon inquiry among the servants , that the knight went out abruptly , in consequence of having received a billet , Tom began to be visited with the apprehension of a duel , and sat the best part of the night by his uncle , sweating with the expectation of seeing our hero brought home a breathless corpse . But no tidings of him arriving , he , about two in the morning , repaired to his own lodging , resolved to publish a description of Sir Launcelot in the newspapers , if he should not appear next day . Crowe did not pass the time without uneasiness .