nine o'clock
Her own admiration of Hester was so exclusive , and the superiority of Hester 's beauty so unquestionable , that it never occurred to her that the attraction which drew Mr Hope to the house could be any other than this . About the state of Hester 's affections she felt justly confident ; and so , in her view , nothing remained to be done but to save her from further pining by bringing about an explanation . She was frequently with Mr Hope at his lodgings , during his recovery , seeing that he took his afternoon rest , and beguiling a part of his evenings ; in short , watching over him as over a son , and declaring to Hester that he was no less dear to her . One evening , when she was spending an hour in Mr Hope 's parlour , where Mr Grey had deposited her till nine o'clock , when he was to call for her , she made the same affectionate declaration to Mr Hope himself , -- that he was as dear to her as if he had been her own son ; `` and , '' she continued , `` I shall speak to you with the same freedom as I should use with Sydney , and may , perhaps , ten years hence . '' `` Pray do , '' said Mr Hope . `` I shall be glad to hear anything you have to say . Are you going to find fault with me ? ''