nine o'clock
When you honored me with an unmistakable sign of your affection , on my going , I was just about to explain all this . You must excuse me if my mouth was then stopped by the mutual ardor of our feeling . I was about to say -- '' But he had found it difficult to explain what he had been about to say , and on the next morning , when the time for writing had come , he heard news which detained him for the day , and then the opportunity was gone . On the following morning , when Matthew appeared at his bedside with his cup of tea at nine o'clock , tidings were brought him . He took in the Buntingford _ Gazette _ , which came twice a week , and as Matthew laid it , opened and unread , in its accustomed place , he gave the information , which he had no doubt gotten from the paper . `` You have n't heard it , sir , I suppose , as yet ? '' `` Heard what ? ''