ten o'clock
The Baronet , looking at his watch , instantly cried , `` Faith , that is very fortunate , for I have just recollected an engagement at the other end of the town which had slipt my memory . '' Soon after they were all gone , Cecilia received a note from Mrs Delvile , begging the favour of her company the next morning to breakfast . She readily accepted the invitation , though she was by no means prepared , by the character she had heard of her , to expect much pleasure from an acquaintance with that lady . Cecilia the next morning , between nine and ten o'clock , went to St James ' - Square ; she found nobody immediately ready to receive her , but in a short time was waited upon by Mr Delvile . After the usual salutations , `` Miss Beverley , '' he said , `` I have given express orders to my people , that I may not be interrupted while I have the pleasure of passing some minutes in conversation with you before you are presented to Mrs Delvile . '' And then , with an air of solemnity , he led her to a seat , and having himself taken possession of another , continued his speech . `` I have received information , from authority which I can not doubt , that the indiscretion of certain of your admirers last Saturday at the Opera-house occasioned a disturbance which to a young woman of delicacy I should imagine must be very alarming : now as I consider myself concerned in your fame and welfare from regarding you as my ward , I think it is incumbent upon me to make enquiries into such of your affairs as become public ; for I should feel in some measure disgraced myself , should it appear to the world , while you are under my guardianship , that there was any want of propriety in the direction of your conduct . ''