About eleven o'clock
In the first place , even that allusion to her little troubles jarred upon her feelings ; and then she thought that her rejection of Mr. Grey could be no special reason why she should go to Matching Priory . Was it not very possible that she had been invited that she might meet Lady Midlothian there , and encounter all the strength of a personal battery from the Countess ? Lady Glencora 's letter she would of course answer , but to Lady Midlothian she would not condescend to make any reply whatever . About eleven o'clock Lady Macleod came down to her . For half-an-hour or so Alice said nothing ; nor did Lady Macleod ask any question . She looked inquisitively at Alice , eyeing the letter which was lying by the side of her niece 's workbasket , but she said no word about Mr. Grey or the Countess . At last Alice spoke .