eight
o'clock
She had thought of Dr. Walsingham ; but Sturk had lately , in one of his imperious freaks of temper , withdrawn his children from the good doctor 's catechetical class , and sent him besides , one of his sturdy , impertinent notes -- and the poor little woman concluded there was no chance there . She knew little of the rector -- of the profound humility and entire placability of that noble soul . Well , she took the opposite direction , and turning her back on the town , walked at her quickest pace toward the Brass Castle . It was not eight o'clock yet , but the devil had been up betimes and got through a good deal of his day 's work , as we have seen . The poor little woman had made up her mind to apply to Dangerfield . She had liked his talk at Belmont , where she had met him ; and he enquired about the poor , and listened to some of her woful tales with a great deal of sympathy ; and she knew he was very rich , and that he appreciated her Barney , and so she trudged on , full of hope , though I do n't think many people who knew the world better would have given a great deal for her chance . Dangerfield received the lady very affably , in his little parlour , where having already despatched his early meal , he was writing letters .