ten o'clock
She had determined to take her son most stringently to task that very evening ; and with this object had ensconced herself in the small drawing-room which had formerly been used for a similar purpose by the august countess herself . Here she now sat , having desired Augusta and Beatrice , as well as the twins , to beg Frank to go to her as soon as he should come out of the dining-room . Poor lady ! there she waited till ten o'clock , -- tealess . There was not much of the Bluebeard about the squire ; but he had succeeded in making it understood through the household that he was not to be interrupted by messages from his wife during the post-prandial hour , which , though no toper , he loved so well . As a period of twelve months will now have to be passed over , the upshot of this long conversation must be told in as few words as possible . The father found it impracticable to talk his son out of his intended marriage ; indeed , he hardly attempted to do so by any direct persuasion .