half past five
o'clock
Day after day passed while we discussed our projects for the evening , and each night was occupied by debates which offered no conclusion . At last the crisis came : the night when parliament , which had so long delayed its choice , must decide : as the hour of twelve passed , and the new day began , it was by virtue of the constitution dissolved , its power extinct . We assembled at Raymond 's house , we and our partizans . At half past five o'clock we proceeded to the House . Idris endeavoured to calm Perdita ; but the poor girl 's agitation deprived her of all power of self-command . She walked up and down the room , -- gazed wildly when any one entered , fancying that they might be the announcers of her doom . I must do justice to my sweet sister : it was not for herself that she was thus agonized .