nearly noon
But next morning , an hour after breakfast , she came to Grace , and in that tone of quiet authority she always used to her father 's housekeeper , requested the keys to the sideboard . Grace looked surprised , but yielded them at once ; and Kate , going to the large , carved , old-fashioned , walnut wood buffet , abstracted two or three bottles of old port , a glass jar of jelly , and another of tamarinds ; stowed away these spoils in a large morocco reticule , returned the keys to Grace , and , going upstairs , dressed herself in her plainest dress , mantle , and hat , took her reticule , and set off . She smiled at herself as she walked down the avenue -- she , the elegant , fastidious Kate Danton , attired in those sombre garments , carrying that well-filled bag , and turning , all in a moment , a Sister of Mercy . It was nearly noon when she returned , pale , and very tired , from her long walk . Grace wondered more than ever , as she saw her dragging herself slowly upstairs . `` Where can she have been ? '' she mused , `` in that dress and with that bag , and what on earth can she have wanted the keys of the sideboard for ? ''