nine o'clock
`` By the by , '' said the squire , `` his lordship has just been made -LRB- this new ministry seems very unlike the old , which rather puzzles me ; for I think it my duty , d'ye see , Lucy , always to vote for his Majesty 's government , especially seeing that old Hugo Brandon had a hand in detecting the gun powder plot ; and it is a little odd-at least , at first-to think that good now which one has always before been thinking abominable -RRB- Lord Lieutenant of the county . '' `` Lord Mauleverer our Lord Lieutenant ? '' `` Yes , child ; and since his lordship is such a friend of my brother , I should think , considering especially what an old family in the county we are , -- not that I wish to intrude myself where I am not thought as fine as the rest , -- that he would be more attentive to us than Lord -------- was ; but that , my dear Lucy , puts me in mind of Pillum ; and so , perhaps , you would like to walk to the parson 's , as it is a fine evening . John shall come for you at nine o'clock with -LRB- the moon is not up then -RRB- the lantern . '' Leaning on his daughter 's willing arm , the good old man then rose and walked homeward ; and so soon as she had wheeled round his easy-chair , placed the backgammon board on the table , and wished the old gentleman an easy victory over his expected antagonist , the apothecary , Lucy tied down her bonnet , and took her way to the rectory . When she arrived at the clerical mansion and entered the drawing-room , she was surprised to find the parson 's wife , a good , homely , lethargic old lady , run up to her , seemingly in a state of great nervous agitation and crying , -- `` Oh , my dear Miss Brandon ! which way did you come ?