hours since noon
Even Miss Dare deigned to acknowledge his charms that day . She declared herself to be the moral image of Martha Washington , and she started a discussion whether Carrington or Lord Dunbeg would best suit her in the rôle of the General . `` Mr. Carrington is exemplary , '' she said , `` but oh , what joy to be Martha Washington and a Countess too ! '' WHEN he reached his rooms that afternoon , Senator Ratcliffe found there , as he expected , a choice company of friends and admirers , who had beguiled their leisure hours since noon by cursing him in every variety of profane language that experience could suggest and impatience stimulate . On his part , had he consulted his own feelings only , he would then and there have turned them out , and locked the doors behind them . So far as silent maledictions were concerned , no profanity of theirs could hold its own against the intensity and deliberation with which , as he found himself approaching his own door , he expressed between his teeth his views in respect to their eternal interests . Nothing could be less suited to his present humour than the society which awaited him in his rooms .