ten o'clock
But , unfortunately for his reasoning , there exist members of her sex who are by nature of an order of mind superior to these considerations , and who realise that they have but one life to live , and that the highest form of happiness is _ not _ dependent upon money or money 's worth , but rather upon the indulgence of mental aspirations and those affections which , when genuine , draw nearer to holiness than anything else about us . Such a woman , more especially if she is already possessed with an affection for another man , does not easily become reconciled to a distasteful lot , however quietly she may endure it , and such a woman was Ida de la Molle . Edward Cossey , when he reached Boisingham on the evening of his engagement , at once wrote and posted a note to the Squire , saying that he would call on the following morning about a matter of business . Accordingly , at half-past ten o'clock , he arrived and was shown into the vestibule , where he found the old gentleman standing with his back to the fire and plunged in reflection . `` Well , Mr. de la Molle , '' said Edward , rather nervously , so soon as he had shaken hands , `` I do not know if Ida has spoken to you about what took place between us yesterday . '' `` Yes , '' he said , `` yes , she told me something to the effect that she had accepted a proposal of marriage from you , subject to my consent , of course ; but really the whole thing is so sudden that I have hardly had time to consider it . '' `` It is very simple , '' said Edward ; `` I am deeply attached to your daughter , and I have been so fortunate as to be accepted by her .