Eight o'clock
Then she thought if Mr. Hastings proposed soon , as she believed he would , she should never again feel troubled about the trivial matter of money , of which she would have an abundance . But where was he and why did he not come ? she asked herself repeatedly , caring less , however , for the delay , when she considered that if they were late , more people would see her in company with the elegant Mr. Hastings , who was well known in the city . `` Eight o'clock as I live , '' she exclaimed at last , consulting her watch , `` and the concert was to commence at half-past seven . What can it mean ? '' and with another glance at her bonnet , she walked the length of the hall , and leaning far over the balustrade looked anxiously down into the office below , to see if by any chance he were there . But he was not , and returning to her room , she waited another half hour , when , grown more fidgety and anxious , she descended to the office , inquiring if Mr. Hastings had been there that evening .