four
o'clock in the morning
Sir Robert bit his lips for a moment in angry silence ; but not enduring to lose the victory to a young rival he despised , he presently said , `` If I must talk no more about it to you , madam , I must at least beg leave to talk of it to this gentleman , and take the liberty to represent to him -- '' Cecilia now , dreading how his speech might be answered , prevented its being finished , and with an air of the most spirited dignity , said , `` Is it possible , sir , that at a time such as this , you should not be wholly indifferent to a matter so frivolous ? little indeed will be the pleasure which our society can afford ! your dispute however , has given it some importance , and therefore Mr Marriot must accept my thanks for his civility , and excuse me for retracting my consent . '' Supplications and remonstrances were , however , still poured upon her from both , and the danger , the impossibility that two ladies could go to town alone , in a hackney coach , and without even a servant , at near four o'clock in the morning , they mutually urged , vehemently entreating that she would run no such hazard . Cecilia was far other than insensible to these representations ; the danger , indeed , appeared to her so formidable , that her inclination the whole time opposed her refusal ; yet her repugnance to giving way to the overbearing Baronet , and her fear of his resentment if she listened to Mr Marriot , forced her to be steady , since she saw that her preference would prove the signal of a quarrel . Inattentive , therefore , to their joint persecution , she again deliberated by what possible method she could get home in safety ; but unable to devise any , she at last resolved to make enquiries of the people in the bar , who had been extremely humane and civil , whether they could assist or counsel her . She therefore desired the two gentlemen to take care of Mrs Harrel , to which neither dared dissent , as both could not refuse , and hastily arising , went out of the room ; but great indeed was her surprize when , as she was walking up to the bar , she was addressed by young Delvile !