nine o'clock
how mean ; but was I to give up any place I may have in her heart , and yield her to the influence of his southern tongue , merely because I am held in honour not to speak , and am just now a foot-ball for Dame Rumour . God help me , darling , I could n't ; you might , in _ pique _ at my silence , have given way to his warm words ; you belong to me ; I have only you , and should I lose you , one of two courses would be mine ; either to make an endless beast of myself for distraction 's sake , or become misanthrope , like my poor father . '' So thinking , he unfastened the cloak of the woman whose beauty and sweet womanliness , had made him captive . In the hall , the butler saying : `` Dinner will await your ladyship 's pleasure in half an hour ; our master , his noble lordship , commanded cook to have it ready every evening , on arrival of nine o'clock express , so your ladyships and the English gentleman would find comfort . '' `` Your master is very thoughtful , '' said Lady Esmondet . One of the household now ushered them to their respective apartments . `` What an air of complete comfort pervades the whole place , said Vaura .