Three o'clock
We shall be more alone at your house than mine , or I might ask you to come to me . `` Yours affectionately , Completely at a loss to understand the meaning of this little note , Caroline merely wrote a line to say she should be quite at Lady Gertrude 's service at the appointed time ; and so deeply was she engrossed in the sad tenour of her own thoughts , that all curiosity as to this important communication was dismissed . Three o'clock came and so did Lady Gertrude , whose first exclamation was to notice Caroline 's unusual paleness . `` Do not heed my looks , dear Gertrude , I am perfectly well ; and now that you are before me , overwhelmed with curiosity as to your intelligence , '' said Caroline , whose heavy eyes belied her assurance that she was quite well . `` Dearest Caroline , '' said Lady Gertrude , in a tone of feeling , `` I am so interested in your welfare , that I can not bear to see the change so evident in you ; something has disturbed you . Show me you consider me your friend , and tell me what it is . ''