eight
o'clock
Fanny Mowbray , who is that to whom your mother is speaking on the lawn ? '' `` It is Mr. Cartwright ! '' cried Fanny with animation ; `` and now , Major Dalrymple , you will have an opportunity of judging for yourself . '' `` I fear not , '' he replied , taking out his watch ; `` it is now eight o'clock , and Mrs. Richards seldom walks much after nine . '' The two girls now withdrew their arms , and hastened forward to the group of which Mr. Cartwright made one . Fanny Mowbray held out her hand to him , which was taken and held very affectionately for two or three minutes . `` You have been enjoying this balmy air , '' said he to her in a voice sweetly modulated to the hour and the theme .