nearly ten o'clock
But something like fear overshadowed him at finding his sermons come back upon him thus . Was he , an unbelieving labourer , to go reaping with his blunt and broken sickle where the corn was ripest ! But he had no time to think about that now . It was nearly ten o'clock , and she would be looking for her answer at eleven . He had not to think long , however , before he saw what seemed a suitable plan to suggest ; whereupon he wrote as follows : `` Dear Miss Lingard , I need not say that I am entirely at your service . But I am doubtful if the only way that occurs to me will commend itself to you . I know what I am about to propose is safe , but you may not have sufficient confidence in my judgment to accept it as such .