the hour of ten
The discovery ended in his scrutinizing Harry 's face the closer , reading between the lines -- his father here , his mother there -- until a quick knitting of the brows , and a flash from out the deep-brown eyes , upset all his preconceived opinions ; he had expected grit and courage in the boy -- there could n't help being that when one thought of his father -- but where did the lad get his imagination ? Richard wondered -- that which millions could not purchase . `` A most engaging young man in spite of his madcap life , '' he said to himself -- `` I do n't wonder St. George loves him . '' When the bell in the old church struck the hour of ten , Harry again turned to Richard and said with a sigh of disappointment : `` I 'm afraid it 's too late to expect him -- do n't you think so ? '' `` Yes , I fear so , '' rejoined Richard , who all through the dinner had never ceased to bend his ear to every sound , hoping for the rumble of wheels or the quick step of a man in the hall . `` Something extraordinary must have happened to him , or he may have been called suddenly to Richmond and taken the steamboat . '' Then leaning toward his host he called across the table : `` Might I make a suggestion , St. George ? ''