four o'clock in the morning
She was uncertain , indeed , whether he had remarked what had passed , but she had reason to think that , so circumstanced , to have changed her purpose , would have been construed into an encouragement that might have authorised his future presumption of her favour . All she could find to regret with regard to herself , was wanting the presence of mind to have refused the civilities of both . Mrs Harrel , though really sorry at the state of the affair , regarded herself as so entirely unconcerned in it , that , easily wearied when out of company , she soon grew sleepy , and retired to her own room . The anxious Cecilia , hoping every instant the return of Mr Harrel , sat up by herself : but it was not till near four o'clock in the morning that he made his appearance . `` Well , sir , '' cried she , the moment she saw him , `` I fear by your coming home so late you have had much trouble , but I hope it has been successful ? '' Great , however , was her mortification when he answered that he had not even seen the Baronet , having been engaged himself in so particular a manner , that he could not possibly break from his party till past three o'clock , at which time he drove to the house of Sir Robert , but heard that he was not yet come home . Cecilia , though much disgusted by such a specimen of insensibility towards a man whom he pretended to call his friend , would not leave him till he had promised to arise as soon as it was light , and make an effort to recover the time lost .