eleven o'clock
` Have it your own way , ' rejoined the girl , affecting to laugh . ` For no good , then . ' Oliver could see that he had some power over the girl 's better feelings , and , for an instant , thought of appealing to her compassion for his helpless state . But , then , the thought darted across his mind that it was barely eleven o'clock ; and that many people were still in the streets : of whom surely some might be found to give credence to his tale . As the reflection occured to him , he stepped forward : and said , somewhat hastily , that he was ready . Neither his brief consideration , nor its purport , was lost on his companion . She eyed him narrowly , while he spoke ; and cast upon him a look of intelligence which sufficiently showed that she guessed what had been passing in his thoughts .