the hour of eleven
From the fact that they offended their keen critical taste , moreover , they were targets to the shaft that wounds more fatally than all . No ridicule knocks the strength out of us so thoroughly as our own . Whether or not he guessed their condition favourable for his plans , Wilfrid did not give them time to call back their scattered powers . At the hour of eleven he sent for Arabella to come to him in the library . The council upstairs permitted Arabella to go , on the understanding that she was prepared for hostilities , and ready to tear the mask from Wilfrid 's face . He commenced , without a shadow of circumlocution , and in a matter-of-fact way , as if all respect for the peculiar genius of the house of Pole had vanished : `` I sent for you to talk a word or two about this woman , who , I see , troubles you a little . I 'm sorry she 's in the house . ''