Three o’clock
What did she come here for ? '' Thoughts are quick ; imagination is still quicker ; and Joyce was giving the reins to both . Her mistress 's gloomy and ambiguous words were crowding on her brain . Three o'clock and she had not been in bed , and was not to be found in the house ? A nameless horror struggled to Joyce 's face , her eyes were dilating with it ; she seized and threw on a large flannel gown which lay on a chair by the bed , and forgetful of her master who stood there , out she sprang to the floor . All minor considerations faded to insignificance beside the terrible dread which had taken possession of her . Clasping the flannel gown tight around her with one hand , she laid the other on the arm of Mr. Carlyle .