nine at night
Of course Fitzgibbon must make some effort , -- some great effort , -- and have the thing settled . Alas , alas ! He knew enough of the world already to feel that the hope was vain . He went down from the Committee Room into the House , and he dined at the House , and remained there until eight or nine at night ; but Fitzgibbon did not come . He then went to the Reform Club , but he was not there . Both at the club and in the House many men spoke to him about the debate of the previous night , expressing surprise that he had not spoken , -- making him more and more wretched . He saw Mr. Monk , but Mr. Monk was walking arm in arm with his colleague , Mr. Palliser , and Phineas could do no more than just speak to them .