seven o'clock
`` Yes , I will call , '' Gilbert answered ; `` thanks for the suggestion . '' He wished Miss Dodd good-afternoon , and left her standing at the gate of her little garden , watching him with profound interest as he walked away towards the village . There was a pleasing mystery in the affair , to the mind of Miss Dodd . Gilbert Fenton went at once to the Rectory , although it was now past seven o'clock . He had met Mr. and Mrs. Marchant several times , and had visited them with the Listers . The Rector was at home , sitting over his solitary glass of port by the open window of his snug dining-room , looking lazily out at a group of sons and daughters playing croquet on the lawn . He was surprised to see Mr. Fenton , but welcomed him with much cordiality .