about seven o'clock
This phrase struck curiously on his ears . `` Do without her altogether ! '' That would be strange indeed -- almost impossible ! It was quite early in the morning when she thus spoke -- about seven o'clock , -- and he was not to get up till noon , `` when the air was at its warmest , '' said Mary -- so he lay very quietly , thinking over every detail of the position in which he found himself . He was now perfectly aware that it was a position which opened up great possibilities . His dream , -- the vague indefinable longing which possessed him for love -- pure , disinterested , unselfish love , -- seemed on the verge of coming true . Yet he would not allow himself to hope too much , -- he preferred to look on the darker side of probable disillusion .