nine o'clock
From this , he drew courage : he began to treat her more inconsiderately , compelling her to bend down to him , making her feel his strength ; and he did not cease his efforts till her head had sunk forward , heavy and submissive , on his shoulder . They were at peace again : and the joys of reconciliation seemed almost worth the price they had paid for them . The following morning , having drunk his coffee , Maurice pushed back the metal tray on which the delf-ware stood , and remained sitting idle with his hands before him . It was nine o'clock , and the houses across the road were beginning to catch stray sunbeams . By this time , his daily work was as a rule in full swing ; but to-day he was in no hurry to commence . He was even more certain now than he had been on the night before , of his lack of success ; and the idea of starting anew on the dull round filled him with distaste . He had been so confident that his playing would , in some way or other , mark a turning-point in his musical career ; and lo !