nine
o'clock
I cried ; `` you 're a young man yet . '' He shook his head at this , but made no answer in words , and left me with some abruptness and no further speech . Now that the confession was in my hands I knew not what course to pursue , and fell to wondering how much reviewing it might cause of the testimony which had cleared Danvers Carmichael , and what possible trouble from that might come home to Nancy 's door . It was but nine o'clock ; a thought seized me before I reached the house , and I sent MacColl to Arran Towers with a request that Mr. Danvers come to me immediately . It had been over a year since he had crossed my threshold , and although he was back in the country above three months , with Nancy 's conduct still unexplained , friendly intercourse between the houses was impossible . `` There 's a welcome been waiting for you o'er long , '' I said to him as he entered the room , and here the fine directness of him answered me : `` I 've never had for you a thought not of the kindest ; but your daughter 's conduct to me ; Lord Stair , has rendered -- '' and before he finished I put out my hand to stay him . `` I would n't go on if I were you , Danvers !