about eight o'clock in the evening
We must now follow Mrs. Mowbray and Helen to London , as some of the circumstances which occurred there proved of importance to them afterwards . The journey was a very melancholy one to Helen , and her feelings as unlike as possible to those which usually accompany a young lady of her age , appearance , and station , upon a visit to the metropolis . Mrs. Mowbray spoke very little , being greatly occupied by the volume recommended to her notice , at parting , by Mr. Cartwright ; and more than once Helen felt something like envy at the situation of the two servants , who , perched aloft behind the carriage , were enjoying without restraint the rapid movement , the fresh air , and the beautiful country through which they passed ; while she , like a drooping flower on which the sun has ceased to shine , hung her fair hand and languished for the kindly warmth she had lost . They reached Wimpole Street about eight o'clock in the evening , and found every thing prepared for them with the most sedulous attention in their handsome and commodious apartments . Mrs. Mowbray was tired , and , being really in need of the refreshment , blessed the hand , or rather the thought , which had forestalled all her wants and wishes , and spread that dearest of travelling banquets , tea and coffee , ready to greet her as she entered the drawing-room . `` This letter has been left for you , ma'am , by the gentleman who took the apartment , '' said the landlady , taking a packet from the chimney-piece ; `` and he desired it might be given to you immediately . '' Mrs. Mowbray opened it ; but perceiving it enclosed another , the address of which she glanced her eye upon , she folded it up again , and begged to be shown to her room while the tea was made .