nine o'clock
But , my brother always said he was thankful for the respite and time for thought which they gave him . The end came suddenly at last , when we were thinking my dear father more tranquil . He passed away in sleep late one evening , just ten days after Hester 's arrival . She had gone back to her lodgings , and we did not send to tell her till the morning ; but by nine o'clock she was in the house . We had crept down to breakfast , Jaquetta and I , feeling very dreary in the half-light , and as if desolation had suddenly come on us ; and when we heard her fly drive up to the door , Jaquetta cried out almost angrily , `` Torwood , how could you ! '' and we would have run away , but he said , `` Stay , dear girls ; it is better to have it over . '' As she came in he rang the bell as if for family prayers , and she had only asked one or two questions , which he answered shortly , when all the servants came in , some crying sadly .