seven o’clock before
At last gentlemen began to appear in twos and threes , and each made some confidence to the womankind that first absorbed him , but no one came in Rachel 's way , and the girl beside her became too unfeignedly curious to support even the semblance of conversation , but listened for scraps of intelligence . Something was flying about respecting `` a gentleman who came down by the train , '' and something about `` Lady Temple '' and `` admirable , '' and the young lady seized the first opportunity of deserting Rachel , and plunging into the melee . Rachel sat on , sick with suspense , feeling utterly unable to quit her seat . Still they waited , the whole of the party were not arrived , and here was the curfew ringing , and that at the Deanery , which always felt injured if it were seven o'clock before people were in the dining-room ! Grace must be upstairs dressing , but to reach her was impossible ! At last Mr. Grey was announced , and he had mercy upon Rachel ; he came up to her as soon as he could without making her remarkable , and told her the cause of his delay had been the necessity of committing Mauleverer upon an accusation by a relation of Colonel Keith , of very extensive frauds upon Miss Williams 's brother . Rachel 's illness and the caution of the Williamses had prevented her from being fully aware of the complication of their affairs with her own , and she became paler and paler , as she listened to the partial explanation , though she was hardly able as yet to understand it .