nearly six o'clock
`` Why , of course , '' said she smilingly . He insisted upon attending her down the staircase and when they were in the dark passage down below they bade each other adieu , he kissing her extended hand with a courteous bow which became him well . Vane watched her thread her way along poverty-stricken Grub Street , and slowly ascended the staircase to his garret sighing deeply . It was nearly six o'clock when Lavinia stood on the broad steps of Queensberry House behind Burlington Gardens . Now that she was staring at the big door between the high railings with their funnel shaped link extinguishers pointing downward at her on either side her courage seemed to be slipping from her . The grotesque faces supporting the triangular portico seemed to be mocking her , the enormous knocker transformed itself into a formidable obstacle . The adventures of the last forty-eight hours had suddenly presented themselves to the girl 's mind in all their enormity .