eight o'clock
and did such a time as this come often ? And were they to break up the party before the New Year came in ? And was there not supper , with a spiced round of beef that had been in pickle pretty nigh sin ' Martinmas , and hams , and mince-pies , and what not ? And if they thought any evil of her master 's going to bed , or that by that early retirement he meant to imply that he did not bid his friends welcome , why he would not stay up beyond eight o'clock for King George upon his throne , as he 'd tell them soon enough , if they 'd only step upstairs and ask him . Well ; she knowed what it was to want a daughter when she was ailing , so she 'd say nought more , but hasten supper . And this idea now took possession of Mrs. Corney 's mind , for she would not willingly allow one of her guests to leave before they had done justice to her preparations ; and , cutting her speech short , she hastily left Sylvia and Philip together . His heart beat fast ; his feeling towards her had never been so strong or so distinct as since her refusal to kiss the ` candlestick . '