about three o'clock
Mr. Daubeny replied to him with equal genius , and with equal skill , -- if not with equal heart . Mr. Gresham had asked for the approbation of all present and of all future reformers . Mr. Daubeny denied him both , -- the one because he would not succeed , and the other because he would not have deserved success . Then Mr. Mildmay made his reply , getting up at about three o'clock , and uttered a prayer , -- a futile prayer , -- that this his last work on behalf of his countrymen might be successful . His bill was read a second time , as I have said before , in obedience to the casting vote of the Speaker , -- but a majority such as that was tantamount to a defeat . There was , of course , on that night no declaration as to what ministers would do . Without a meeting of the Cabinet , and without some further consideration , though each might know that the bill would be withdrawn , they could not say in what way they would act .