nine o'clock before
His own busy thoughts supplied him with more than sufficient food , and precluded all sense of hunger . Maurice had but a slight acquaintance with Lady Vivian . An evening visit certainly was not _ selon les regles _ ; but all ceremony must give way before the urgency of his mission . He compelled himself to wait until nine o'clock before he again appeared in Grosvenor Square . That imperturbable footman again ! The very presence of the automaton chilled and dispirited the impatient visitor . `` Is Lady Vivian at home ? ''