ten o'clock
In his own house , though he was very quiet , the servants dreaded to offend him , and were attentive to his slightest behests . When he condescended to ride with any acquaintance in the park , it was always acknowledged that old Wharton was to regulate the pace . His name was Abel , and all his life he had been known as able Abe ; -- a silent , far-seeing , close-fisted , just old man , who was not , however , by any means deficient in sympathy either with the sufferings or with the joys of humanity . It was Easter time and the courts were not sitting , but Mr. Wharton was in his chamber as a matter of course at ten o'clock . He knew no real homely comforts elsewhere , -- unless at the whist-table at the Eldon . He ate and drank and slept in his own house in Manchester Square , but he could hardly be said to live there . It was not there that his mind was awake , and that the powers of the man were exercised .