eight o'clock
` I beg your pardon , but is not that because there has been none of the equality of friendship between the adviser and advised classes ? Because every man has had to stand in an unchristian and isolated position , apart from and jealous of his brother-man : constantly afraid of his rights being trenched upon ? ' ` I only state the fact . I am sorry to say , I have an appointment at eight o'clock , and I must just take facts as I find them to-night , without trying to account for them ; which , indeed , would make no difference in determining how to act as things stand -- the facts must be granted . ' ` But , ' said Margaret in a low voice , ` it seems to me that it makes all the difference in the world -- . ' Her father made a sign to her to be silent , and allow Mr. Thornton to finish what he had to say . He was already standing up and preparing to go .