eight o'clock
-- But rousing himself from vain thoughts of this kind , he began to arrange his manuscripts ; when his ear caught a sound on the stair -- 't was the light stealthy step of his sister , coming down to perform her promised undertaking -- not an unusual one by any means -- to transcribe for the press the manuscript which he expected to complete that morning . `` My sweet Kate , '' said he , tenderly , as she entered with her little chamber light , extinguishing it as she entered , -- `` I am really grieved to see you stirring so early -- do , dearest Kate -- go back to bed . '' But she kissed his cheek affectionately , and refused to do any such thing ; and telling him of the restless night she had passed , of which indeed her pale and depressed features bore but too legible evidence , she sat herself down in her accustomed place , nearly opposite to him ; gently cleared away space enough for her little desk , and then opening it , was presently engaged in her delightful task -- for to her it _ was _ indeed delightful -- of copying out her brother 's composition . Thus she sat , silent and industrious -- scarce opening her lips , except to ask him to explain an illegible word or so -- opposite to her doting brother , till the hour had arrived -- eight o'clock -- for the close of their morning toil . The reader will be pleased to hear that the article on which they had been thus engaged -- and which was the discussion of a question of foreign politics , of great difficulty and importance -- produced him a check for sixty guineas , and excited general attention and admiration . Oh , how precious was this reward of his honorable and severe toil ! How it cheered him who had earned it , and those who were , alas !