twenty minutes to nine
She had a great deal to do that morning ; for , innocent girl , she had no notion that it was quite possible to be too early at the Hall ; her only fear was being too late . Then there were all the household cares to see to , and the dear babes to dress , and the place to tidy up , and breakfast to get ready , and , any how , she could not be abroad till half-past eight : so , to her dismay , it must be past nine before ever she can see Sir John . Let us follow her a little : for on this important day we shall have to take the adventures of our labourer 's family one at a time . By twenty minutes to nine , Grace had contrived to bustle on her things , give the rest the slip , and be tripping to the Hall . It is nearly two miles off , as we already know ; and Grace is such a pretty creature that we can clearly do no better than employ our time thitherward by taking a peep at her . Sweet Grace Acton , we will not vex thy blushing maiden modesty by elaborate details of form , and face , and feature . Perfect womanhood at fair eighteen : let that fill all the picture up with soft and swelling charms ; no wadding , or padding , or jigot , or jupe -- but all those graceful undulations are herself : no pearl-powder , no carmine , no borrowed locks , no musk , or ambergris -- but all those feeble helps of meretricious art excelled and superseded by their just originals in nature .