eleven o'clock before
The friends were accordingly introduced ; and as the proceedings of the evening went on , and all waxed warm upon the subject under discussion , the party which Ashton had drawn together soon became known to one another , and were on terms of conversational acquaintance . The meeting separated at ten o'clock , and then George and Hardy essayed to bid good-night to their friends , and make their way at once towards Islington . `` Nonsense , '' said Ashton ; `` I want you to come with me to a nice quiet place I know , close by , and have a bit of supper and a chat over all that has been said , and then I will walk part of the way home with you . '' `` No , not to-night , Ashton ; it is quite late enough already ; and it will be past eleven o'clock before we get home as it is . '' `` What say you , Hardy ? Can you persuade our sage old friend to abandon his ten o'clock habits for one night ? '' asked Ashton .