nearly ten o'clock
If she wished me to ask her to give herself to me , she ought to offer me some reason to suppose that she would make the gift . If I saw no probability of such generosity , I would prefer that things should remain as they were . * * * * * That evening I was sitting with Madeline in the moonlit porch . It was nearly ten o'clock , and ever since supper-time I had been working myself up to the point of making an avowal of my sentiments . I had not positively determined to do this , but wished gradually to reach the proper point when , if the prospect looked bright , I might speak . My companion appeared to understand the situation -- at least , I imagined that the nearer I came to a proposal the more she seemed to expect it . It was certainly a very critical and important epoch in my life .