seven o'clock
No infernal postponement , I hope -- '' He read the first line and drew himself up like a man pierced with pain . `` My dear Warburton '' -- thus wrote his partner , in a hand less legible than of wont -- `` I have such bad news for you that I hardly know how to tell it . If I dared , I would come to you at once , but I simply have not the courage to face you until you know the worst , and have had time to get accustomed to it . It is seven o'clock ; an hour ago I learnt that all our money is lost -- all yours , all that from St. Neots , all mine -- every penny I have . I have been guilty of unpardonable folly -- how explain my behaviour ? The truth is , after the settlement in Little Ailie Street ; I found myself much worse off than I had expected . I went into the money market , and made a successful deal .