eleven o’clock
And the drawing-room upstairs was arranged in accordance with this idea . The table was set out with the best green card-cloth , and writing materials upon it . On the little chiffonier was a tray with a newly-decanted bottle of cowslip wine , and some ladies ' - finger biscuits . Miss Pole herself was in solemn array , as if to receive visitors , although it was only eleven o'clock . Mrs Forrester was there , crying quietly and sadly , and my arrival seemed only to call forth fresh tears . Before we had finished our greetings , performed with lugubrious mystery of demeanour , there was another rat-tat-tat , and Mrs Fitz-Adam appeared , crimson with walking and excitement . It seemed as if this was all the company expected ; for now Miss Pole made several demonstrations of being about to open the business of the meeting , by stirring the fire , opening and shutting the door , and coughing and blowing her nose .