six o'clock in the
evening
`` Flattered by his attentions to me , I had lost no opportunity of increasing our friendship , and I determined to apply to him in my present distress . `` I was a perfect novice in the art of letter-writing , never having penned an epistle in my life , and after making several attempts with which I was perfectly disgusted , I determined to walk over to the city and make my application in person to Mr. Mornington . `` Without communicating my intentions to Alice , I carefully tied up a change of linen in a silk handkerchief , and with the mighty sum of five shillings in my pocket , commenced my pedestrian journey of thirty odd miles . `` I started in the morning by day-break , and without meeting with any particular adventures on the road , I arrived at six o'clock in the evening , foot-sore and weary at the rich man 's door . When there , my heart , which had been as stout as a lion 's on the road , failed me , and I sat down upon the broad stone steps that led up to the house , sorely depressed and uncertain what course to take . `` This I knew would not do : the night was coming on , and the rain , which had threatened all day , now began to fall fast . Making a desperate effort , I sprang up the steps , and gave a gentle knock , so gentle that it was unheard ; and unable to summon sufficient courage to repeat the experiment , I resumed my seat until some more fortunate applicant should seek admittance .