nearly three in the
morning
Her husband , during our walk , had asked me to remain another day ; my promise to her son was an implication that I had consented , and it was n't possible the news could please her . This ought doubtless to have made me more careful as to what I said next , but all I can plead is that it did n't . I soon mentioned that just after leaving her the evening before , and after hearing her apply to her husband 's writings the epithet already quoted , I had on going up to my room sat down to the perusal of those sheets of his new book that he had been so good as to lend me . I had sat entranced till nearly three in the morning -- I had read them twice over . `` You say you have n't looked at them . I think it 's such a pity you should n't . Do let me beg you to take them up .