about five
o'clock in the afternoon
The insidious lover exulted in the tenderness of her looks , from which he presaged a complete victory ; but , that he might not overshoot himself by his own precipitation , he would not run the risk of declaring himself , until her heart should be so far entangled within his snares , as that neither the suggestions of honour , prudence , nor pride , should be able to disengage it . Armed with this resolution , he restrained the impatience of his temper within the limits of the most delicate deportment . After having solicited and obtained permission to attend her to the next opera , he took her by the hand , and , pressing it to his lips , in the most respectful manner , went away , leaving her in a most whimsical state of suspense , chequered with an interesting vicissitude of hope and fear . On the appointed day , he appeared again about five o'clock in the afternoon , and found her native charms so much improved by the advantages of dress , that he was transported with admiration and delight ; and , while he conducted her to the Haymarket , could scarce bridle the impetuosity of his passion , so as to observe the forbearing maxims he had adopted . When she entered the pit , he had abundance of food for the gratification of his vanity ; for , in a moment , she eclipsed all the female part of the audience ; each individual allowing in her own heart that the stranger was by far the handsomest woman there present , except herself . Here it was that our hero enjoyed a double triumph ; he was vain of this opportunity to enhance his reputation for gallantry among the ladies of fashion who knew him , and proud of an occasion to display his quality acquaintance to Emilia , that she might entertain the greater idea of the conquest she had made , and pay the more deference to his importance in the sequel of his addresses . That he might profit as much as possible by this situation , he went up and accosted every person in the pit , with whom he ever had least communication , whispered and laughed with an affected air of familiarity , and even bowed at a distance to some of the nobility , on the slender foundation of having stood near them at court , or presented them with a pinch of rappee at White 's chocolate-house .