nearly eleven o'clock before
`` You see , after going to see the roses it was too late to keep the appointment . And I am very glad it was , for I have had a very pleasant conversation with Miss Eden , about flowers , and the beauties of Kingston , and of the Stock Exchange , and a dozen things besides . '' Fan , sitting a little apart and beside the open window , listened with a strange pleasure to that fine baritone voice which she now heard again after so long a time , and wondered to herself whether it would ever again be joined with Mary 's in that rich harmony to which she had so often listened standing on the stairs . It was nearly eleven o'clock before Captain Horton found an opportunity to speak to her again . `` Miss Eden , '' he said , dropping into a seat next to her , `` I am anxious to say one -- no , two things , before leaving you . One is that I know that after this evening I shall be a happier man . The other is this : if I should ever be able to serve you in any way -- if you could ever bring yourself to ask my assistance in any way , it would give me a great happiness .