ten o'clock
Better to be out , and moving in the night , out in the ebb and flow of things , among others whose hearts were beating , than stay in this place that without her was so cold and meaningless . Lamps -- the passion-fruit of towns -- were turning from pallor to full orange , and the stars were coming out . Half-past nine ! At ten o'clock , and not before , he would walk past her house . To have this something to look forward to , however furtive and barren , helped . But on a Saturday night there would be no sitting at the House . Cramier would be at home ; or they would both be out ; or perhaps have gone down to their river cottage .