eight o’clock
The sixpences did indeed flow in rapidly ; the advertisements had , so far , produced their effect . But the reserved seats sold very slowly . The members of the Institution , who were admitted for nothing , arrived in large numbers , and secured the best places . Towards eight o'clock -LRB- the hour at which the lecture was to begin -RRB- , the sixpenny audience was still pouring in . Rufus recognised Phoebe among the late arrivals , escorted by a person in the dress of a gentleman , who was palpably a blackguard nevertheless . A short stout lady followed , who warily shook hands with Rufus , and said , `` Let me introduce you to Mr. Farnaby . '' Mr. Farnaby 's mouth and chin were shrouded in a wrapper ; his hat was over his eyebrows .