midnight
At which words both the women fixed their eyes on two looking-glasses ; and Lady Booby replied , that men were , in the general , very ill judges of beauty ; and then , whilst both contemplated only their own faces , they paid a cross compliment to each other 's charms . When the hour of rest approached , which the lady of the house deferred as long as decently she could , she informed Joseph -LRB- whom for the future we shall call Mr Joseph , he having as good a title to that appellation as many others -- I mean that incontested one of good clothes -RRB- that she had ordered a bed to be provided for him . He declined this favour to his utmost ; for his heart had long been with his Fanny ; but she insisted on his accepting it , alledging that the parish had no proper accommodation for such a person as he was now to esteem himself . The squire and his lady both joining with her , Mr Joseph was at last forced to give over his design of visiting Fanny that evening ; who , on her side , as impatiently expected him till midnight , when , in complacence to Mr Adams 's family , who had sat up two hours out of respect to her , she retired to bed , but not to sleep ; the thoughts of her love kept her waking , and his not returning according to his promise filled her with uneasiness ; of which , however , she could not assign any other cause than merely that of being absent from him . Mr Joseph rose early in the morning , and visited her in whom his soul delighted . She no sooner heard his voice in the parson 's parlour than she leapt from her bed , and , dressing herself in a few minutes , went down to him . They passed two hours with inexpressible happiness together ; and then , having appointed Monday , by Mr Adams 's permission , for their marriage , Mr Joseph returned , according to his promise , to breakfast at the Lady Booby 's , with whose behaviour , since the evening , we shall now acquaint the reader .