8 o'clock
It was just beginning to be light when Edith opened her eyes , and lifting up her head , looked about the room to see if Lulu had been in to make her fire . She always awoke earlier on lesson day , so as to have a good long time TO THINK , and now as she counted the hours , one , two , three and a half , which must intervene before she saw Arthur St. Claire again , she hid her blushing face in the pillow , as if ashamed to let the gray daylight see just how happy she was . These lessons had become the most important incidents in her life , and this morning there was good cause why she should anticipate the interview . She believed Richard was not going , and though she was of course very sorry to leave him behind , she tried hard to be reconciled , succeeding so well that when at 8 o'clock she descended to the breakfast room , Victor asked what made her look so unusually bright and happy . `` I do n't know , '' she replied , `` unless it is because we are going to ride , '' and she glanced inquiringly at Richard , seating himself at the table . Victor shrugged his shoulders . HE knew more than Edith thought he did , and waited like herself for Richard 's answer .