nine o'clock
He had never met her before ; he feared that she might be witty , or sarcastic , or sharp in some way or other , and would certainly make game of him in the presence of Katie . He had observed this cousin narrowly at the singing-class , and had been much impressed with her appearance ; but whether this impression was favourable or unfavourable was to him , in the then confused state of his feelings , a matter of great uncertainty . Now that he was about to face her , he felt convinced that she must be a cynic , who would poison the mind of Katie against him , and no power within his unfortunate body was capable of inducing him to advance and raise the knocker . Thus he hung in torments of suspense until nine o'clock , when -- in a fit of desperation , he rushed madly at the door and committed himself by hitting it with his fist . His equanimity was not restored by its being opened by Mr Durant himself . `` Queeker ! '' exclaimed the old gentleman in surprise ; `` come in , my dear sir ; did you stumble against the door ?