eleven o'clock
She was in even better spirits than usual at the prospect of letting her top-rooms . On hearing that piece of news , Samuel , who had just come from the nearest public-house with a foaming jug , executed a wild dance round the room and inadvertently knocked two plates from the dresser . This accident made his wife wrathful , but only for a moment ; presently she was laughing as unrestrainedly as ever , and bestowing upon the repentant young man her familiar flattery . At eleven o'clock Sidney left them , and mused with smiles on his way home . This was not exactly his ideal of domestic happiness , yet it was better than the life led by the Hewetts -- better than that of other households with which he was acquainted -- better far , it seemed to him , than the aspirations which were threatening to lead poor Clara -- who knew whither ? A temptation beset him to walk round into Upper Street and pass Mrs. Tubbs 's bar . He resisted it , knowing that the result would only be a night of sleepless anger and misery .