ten
o'clock at night
That was nothing . He could not be held responsible for the direction of Mrs. Prockter 's cap . He could laugh at that , even though he faintly blushed . But to be caught sitting in the dark with Mrs. Prockter , after ten o'clock at night , in his own house ; to have the fact pointed out to him in such a peculiar , meaningful tone as Helen employed -- here was something that connected him and Mrs. Prockter in a manner just a shade too serious for mere smiling . Here was something that had not before happened to him in his career as rent-collector and sage . Not that he minded ! No , he did not mind .