six o'clock
He turned to watch Lady Dauntrey , at a distance , trying to read her face and that of the melancholy man he took to be her husband . He did not like to think of Miss Grant -- his Principino 's Miss Grant -- being at that woman 's house . `` We shall see what can be done , '' he said to himself , trying to enliven the long minutes of his waiting , minutes which seemed to grow longer and ever longer , like shadows at evening . By six o'clock the great hall and tea-room adjoining were nearly empty . The Dauntreys and the Holbeins had gone , and nearly all the pretty , chattering young women who were like advertisements in picture-papers . Still Miss Bland and her friend lingered over their tea and cakes , though they had ceased to eat or drink ; and the curé could not help thinking that they had a special object in staying on . Eventually , however , they paid the hovering waiter , and slowly walked out , Idina Bland once again bending her head coldly to the priest .