a quarter before eight
Thus it was settled and this necessitated a change in the table arrangements . Lady Ethelrida would now sit on the host 's right hand , and Lady Coltshurst , an aunt on the Tancred side , at his left , while Zara would be between the Duke and her fiancé , as originally arranged . Emily Guiscard would have Sir James Danvers and Lord Coltshurst as neighbors , and Mary her uncle , the Duke 's brother , a widower , Lord Charles Montfitchet , and his son , `` Young Billy , '' the Glastonbury heir -- Lady Ethelrida was the Duke 's only child . At a quarter before eight Francis Markrute went up to his niece 's sitting-room . She was already dressed in a sapphire-blue velvet masterpiece of simplicity . The Tancred presents of sapphires and diamonds lay in their open cases on the table with the splendid Markrute yards of pearls . She was standing looking down at them , the strangest expression of cynical resignation upon her face .