nearly
midnight
The sum which would complete the proprietorship in this snug concern , was nearly equal to Mr Pecksniff 's whole hoard ; not counting Mr Chuzzlewit , that is to say , whom he looked upon as money in the Bank , the possession of which inclined him the more to make a dash with his own private sprats for the capture of such a whale as Mr Montague described . The returns began almost immediately , and were immense . The end of it was , that Mr Pecksniff agreed to become the last partner and proprietor in the Anglo-Bengalee , and made an appointment to dine with Mr Montague , at Salisbury , on the next day but one , then and there to complete the negotiation . It took so long to bring the subject to this head , that it was nearly midnight when they parted . When Mr Pecksniff walked downstairs to the door , he found Mrs Lupin standing there , looking out . ` Ah , my good friend ! ' he said ; ` not a-bed yet !