noon
She had planned a pulverising surprise for the house-party ; and in due time , she intended to explode it , and subsequently Billy was to apologise for his conduct , and then they were to live happily ever afterward . She had not yet decided what he was to apologise for ; that was his affair . His conscience ought to have told him , by this , wherein he had offended ; and if his conscience had n't , why then , of course , he would have to apologise for his lack of proper sensibility . After breakfast she went , according to her usual custom , to her father 's rooms , for , as I think I have told you , the old gentleman was never visible until noon . She had astonishing news for him . What time she divulged it , the others sat on the terrace , and Mr. Kennaston read to them , as he had promised , from his `` Defense of Ignorance . '' It proved a welcome diversion to more than one of the party .