ten o’clock
During the meal , I provided for my month 's absence from London , by informing my father that I proposed visiting one of my country friends . He heard me as coldly and indifferently as usual ; and , as I anticipated , did not even ask to what friend 's house I was going . After dinner , I privately informed Clara that on the morrow , before starting , I would , in accordance with my promise , make her the depositary of my long-treasured secret -- which , as yet , was not to be divulged to any one besides . This done , I hurried away , between nine and ten o'clock , for a last half-hour 's visit to North Villa ; hardly able to realise my own situation , or to comprehend the fulness and exaltation of my own joy . A disappointment was in store for me . Margaret was not in the house ; she had gone out to an evening party , given by a maiden aunt of hers , who was known to be very rich , and was , accordingly , a person to be courted and humoured by the family . I was angry as well as disappointed at what had taken place .