four o'clock in the afternoon
He had heard of that excellent but empty-headed young man Mr. Surtees . When the idea occurred to him he found himself reviling Mr. Surtees as being of all men the most puny , the most unmanly , and the least worthy of marrying Mary Masters . Now that Mr. Twentyman was certainly disposed of , he almost became jealous of Mr. Surtees . It was not till three or four o'clock in the afternoon that he went out on his commission to the attorney 's house , having made up his mind that he would do everything in his power to facilitate Mary 's proposed return to Cheltenham . He asked first for Mr. Masters and then for Miss Masters , and learned that they were both out together . But he had been desired also to see Mrs. Masters , and on inquiring for her was again shown into the grand drawing-room . Here he remained a quarter of an hour while the lady of the house was changing her cap and apron , which he spent in convincing himself that this house was altogether an unfit residence for Mary .