nine in the evening
He was not sure whether , in good faith , he should not at once give notice of his intended acceptance of the Chiltern Hundreds to the electors of Bobsborough . Thus meditating , under the influence of that intermittent evil grasp , almost angry with himself for the open truth which he had spoken , -- or rather written , and perhaps thinking more of Lizzie and her beauty than he should have done , in the course of three weeks he had paid but one visit to Fawn Court . Then , of a sudden , finding himself one afternoon relieved from work , he resolved to go there . The days were still almost at their longest , and he did not scruple to present himself before Lady Fawn between eight and nine in the evening . They were all at tea , and he was welcomed kindly . Lucy , when he was announced , at once got up and met him almost at the doorway , sparkling with just a tear of joy in her eye , with a look in her face , and a loving manner , which for the moment made him sure that the little house near the Swiss Cottage would , after all , be the only Elysium upon earth . If she spoke a word he hardly heard it , but her hand was in his , so cool and soft , almost trembling in its grasp , with no attempt to withdraw itself , frank , loving , and honest .