five minutes past nine
He had meant to ride to Hillport in the tramcar , which ran past Mrs. Prockter 's gates . However , he reluctantly agreed to order a cab , being fearful lest she might , after all , refuse to go . It was remarkable that , after having been opposed to the policy of throwing Helen and Emanuel together , he was now in favour of it . On the evening , when at five minutes past nine she came into the front room clad for Mrs. Prockter 's party , he perceived that the tramcar would have been unsuitable . A cab might hold her . A hansom would certainly not have held her . She was all in white , and very complicated .