about nine in the evening
Marcella did not extend the conversation . She spoke of having to catch a train , and veiled as well as she could beneath ordinary courtesies her perplexity at the information she had received . When she again reached the house at Notting Hill , Christian was absent . He came home about nine in the evening . It was impossible not to remark his strange mood of repressed excitement ; but Marcella did not question him , and Christian had resolved to conceal the day 's event until he could speak of it without agitation . Before they parted for the night , Marcella said carelessly : ` I have decided to go down to Budleigh Salterton when the time comes . ' ` That 's right ! '