about eight o'clock
He knew nothing of the commencement of his acquaintance with Ginevra , but imagined it had come about through Donal ; for , studiously as Mr. Galbraith had avoided mention of his quarrel with Ginevra because of the lads , something of it had crept out , and reached the Mains ; and in now venturing allusion to that old story , Fergus was feeling after a nerve whose vibration , he thought , might afford him some influence over Ginevra . He spoke authoritatively , and Miss Kimble , though convinced it was a mere pretence of her graceless pupil that her father would not see her , had to yield , and rose . Mr. Duff rose also , saying he would walk with her . He returned to the cottage , dined with them , and left about eight o'clock . Already well enough acquainted in the city to learn without difficulty where Mistress Croale lived , and having nothing very particular to do , he strolled in the direction of her lodging , and saw Gibbie go into the house . Having seen him in , he was next seized with the desire to see him out again ; having lain in wait for him as a beneficent brownie , he must now watch him as a profligate baronet forsooth ! To haunt the low street until he should issue was a dreary prospect -- in the east wind of a March night , which some giant up above seemed sowing with great handfuls of rain-seed ; but having made up his mind , he stood his ground .