Nine o'clock
`` I was sure , Sir , you would say no less , '' answered Rhoda . `` Thy virtues lost , thou would ` st not look Me in thy chains to hold ? Know , friend , thou verily hast lost Thy chiefest virtue -- gold . '' Nine o'clock on the Monday morning was the hour appointed for reading Madam 's will . When Rhoda and Phoebe , in their deep mourning , entered the parlour , they were startled to find the number of persons already assembled . Not only all the household and outdoor servants , but all the inmates of the Maidens ' Lodge , excepting Mrs Marcella , and several others , stood up to receive the young ladies as they passed on to the place reserved for them . Mr Dawson handed the girls to their places , and then seated himself at the table , and proceeded to unfold a large parchment .