eight in the morning
But , be assured , as for your money , I will not accept it ; and let it satisfy you , that in my present circumstances it would do me no essential service ; but this be assured of likewise , that whilst I live I shall never forget the kindness of the offer . However , as I apprehend I may be in some danger of fellows getting into the house , for a day or two , as I have no guard but a poor little girl , I will not refuse the goodness you offer to shew in my protection . And I make no doubt but Mrs. Ellison will let you sit in her parlour for that purpose . '' Atkinson , with the utmost readiness , undertook the office of porter ; and Mrs. Ellison as readily allotted him a place in her back-parlour , where he continued three days together , from eight in the morning till twelve at night ; during which time , he had sometimes the company of Mrs. Ellison , and sometimes of Booth , Amelia , and Mrs. Bennet too ; for this last had taken as great a fancy to Amelia as Amelia had to her , and , therefore , as Mr. Booth 's affairs were now no secret in the neighbourhood , made her frequent visits during the confinement of her husband , and consequently her own . Nothing , as I remember , happened in this interval of time , more worthy notice than the following card which Amelia received from her old acquaintance Mrs. James : -- `` Mrs. James sends her compliments to Mrs. Booth , and desires to know how she does ; for , as she hath not had the favour of seeing her at her own house , or of meeting her in any public place , in so long time , fears it may be owing to ill health . '' Amelia had long given over all thoughts of her friend , and doubted not but that she was as entirely given over by her ; she was very much surprized at this message , and under some doubt whether it was not meant as an insult , especially from the mention of public places , which she thought so inconsistent with her present circumstances , of which she supposed Mrs. James was well apprized . However , at the entreaty of her husband , who languished for nothing more than to be again reconciled to his friend James , Amelia undertook to pay the lady a visit , and to examine into the mystery of this conduct , which appeared to her so unaccountable .