six o'clock
We may not ask Mr. Ferguson to dinner -- he would find little to say to University dons ; and as for his wife '' -- she could not forbear a secret smile at the thought of the poor dear woman , with her voluble affectionateness and her gowns of all colors , beside the stately , frigid , perfectly dressed , and unexceptionably -- mannered Miss Gascoigne -- `` whether or not Mrs. Ferguson is invited to the series of parties that you are planning , I shall go and see her , and she shall come to see me , as often as ever I please . '' This speech , which began steadily enough , ended with a shaky voice and flashing eye , which , the moment it met Dr. Grey 's , gravely watching her , sank immediately . `` That is , '' she added gently , `` If my husband has no objection . '' `` None , '' he said , but drew ink and paper to him , and sat down to write a note , which he afterward handed over to Christian , then addressing his sister-in-law , `` I have invited Mr. and Mrs. Ferguson to dine with us -- just ourselves , as you and Maria will be out -- at six o'clock to-morrow . And oh ! '' -- with a weary look , as if he were not so insensible to this petty domestic martyrdom as people imagined -- `` do , Henrietta , let us have a little peace . '' It was in vain .