four o'clock
He belonged to the House because his father had territorial influence in a Scotch county ; -- but he never did anything there , and his selection for such a duty would be a declaration to the world that nobody else would do it . `` It would n't hurt you , Lupton , '' said Mr. Beauclerk . `` Not at all , '' said Lupton ; `` but I also , like Nidderdale , am a young man and of no use , -- and a great deal too bashful . '' Melmotte , who knew but little about it , went down to the House at four o'clock , somewhat cowed by want of companionship , but carrying out his resolution that he would be stopped by no phantom fears , -- that he would lose nothing by want of personal pluck . He knew that he was a Member , and concluded that if he presented himself he would be able to make his way in and assume his right . But here again fortune befriended him . The very leader of the party , the very founder of that new doctrine of which it was thought that Melmotte might become an apostle and an expounder , -- who , as the reader may remember , had undertaken to be present at the banquet when his colleagues were dismayed and untrue to him , and who kept his promise and sat there almost in solitude , -- he happened to be entering the House , as his late host was claiming from the door-keeper the fruition of his privilege .