nearly four o'clock
The door opened , and Mademoiselle Le Breton appeared on the threshold , carrying a small gray terrier under each arm . `` I thought I had better tell you , '' she said , humbly , `` that I am taking the dogs out . Shall I get some fresh wool for your knitting ? '' It was nearly four o'clock . Sir Wilfrid had just closed Lady Henry 's door behind him , and was again walking along Bruton Street . He was thinking of the little scene of Mademoiselle Le Breton 's appearance on the threshold of Lady Henry 's dining-room ; of the insolent sharpness with which Lady Henry had given her order upon order -- as to the dogs , the books for the circulating library , a message for her dressmaker , certain directions for the tradesmen , etc. , etc. -- as though for the mere purpose of putting the woman who had dared to be her rival in her right place before Sir Wilfrid Bury . And at the end , as she was departing , Mademoiselle Le Breton , trusting no doubt to Lady Henry 's blindness , had turned towards himself , raising her downcast eyes upon him suddenly , with a proud , passionate look .