About eight o'clock
_ Of the subtile means whereby Simon leads Mr. Godwin to doubt his wife . _ Again must I draw upon matter of after-knowledge to show you how all things came to pass on this fatal night . When Mr. Godwin reached London , he went to Sir Peter Lely 's house in Lincoln 's Inn , to know if he was still at Hatfield , and there learning he was gone hence to Hampton , and no one answering for certainty when he would return , Mr. Godwin , seeing that he might linger in London for days to no purpose , and bethinking him how pale and sorrowful his dear wife was when they parted , concludes to leave his picture at Sir Peter Lely 's and post back to Chislehurst , counting to give his wife a happy surprise . About eight o'clock he reaches the Court , to find all shut and barred by the prudent housekeeper , who , on letting him in -LRB- with many exclamations of joy and wonder -RRB- , falls presently to sighing and shaking her head , as she tells how her mistress has lain abed since dinner , and is sick of the biliaries . In great concern , Mr. Godwin takes the candle from Mrs. Butterby 's hand , and hastes up to his wife 's room . Opening the door softly , he enters , to find the bed tumbled , indeed , but empty . He calls her in a soft voice , going into the next room , and , getting no reply , nor finding her there , he calls again , more loudly , and there is no response .