about seven o'clock in the evening
He was also offered a commission in the navy , his Majesty sagely remarking that so good a man ought to be serving his country in some better way than by commanding a mere merchant-ship , and this time George was sensible enough to accept the offer . At his suggestion a commission was also offered to and accepted by Bowen . All this business being at length satisfactorily concluded , George had no further excuse for shunning Sea View , and accordingly , on the first opportunity , he set out with considerable perturbation of spirit for Alverstoke . It was about seven o'clock in the evening , and quite dark when George reached the house , and , passing through the gate , strode up the well-remembered pathway , and administered a sounding _ rat-tat _ at the door . A smart , fresh-looking maid-servant answered the summons , and , on his inquiry for Miss Walford , showed him into the familiar parlour , and asked for his name . `` Captain Leicester , '' answered George . `` Yes , sir , certainly , sir , '' said the girl , eyeing George with such undisguised curiosity and admiration as showed that she had undoubtedly heard some portion at least of his story .