about seven in the evening
AT last the longed-for yet dreaded day approached , and a letter informed the Trevors that Mr and Mrs Williams would arrive at Southampton on 5th July , and would probably reach Ayrton the evening after . They particularly requested that no one should come to meet them on their landing . `` We shall reach Southampton , '' wrote Mrs Williams , `` tired , pale , and travel-stained , and had much rather see you first at Fairholm , where we shall be spared the painful constraint of a meeting in public . So please expect our arrival at about seven in the evening . '' Poor Eric ! although he had been longing for the time ever since the news came , yet now he was too agitated for enjoyment . Exertion and expectation made him restless , and he could settle down to nothing all day , every hour of which hung most heavily on his hands .