ten o'clock at night
`` No , sir , we left her in the country . '' He was then going on with a further account , but , in too much confusion of mind to hear him Delvile abruptly wished him good night , and marched on himself towards Belfield 's . The pleasure with which he would have heard that Cecilia was so near to him , was totally lost in his perplexity to account for her journey . Her letters had never hinted at such a purpose , -- the news reached him only by accident , -- it was ten o'clock at night , -- yet she was at Belfield 's -- though the sister was away , -- though the mother was professedly odious to her ! -- In an instant , all he had formerly heard , all he had formerly disregarded , rushed suddenly upon his memory , and he began to believe he had been deluded , that his father was right , and that Belfield had some strange and improper influence over her heart . The suspicion was death to him ; he drove it from him , he concluded the whole was some error : his reason as powerfully as his tenderness vindicated her innocence ; and though he arrived at the house in much disorder , he yet arrived with a firm persuasion of an honourable explanation . The door was open , -- a chaise was at it in waiting , -- Mrs Belfield was listening in the passage ; these appearances were strange , and encreased his agitation .