seven o'clock
Lady Verner held out a little while ; she did not like John Massingbird : never had liked any of the Massingbirds ; but Lionel carried his point . John Massingbird showed himself presentable that day , and had left his pipe at home . In one point Mr. Massingbird proved himself as little given to ceremony as Jan could be . The dinner hour , he had been told , was seven o'clock ; and he arrived shortly after six . Lucy Tempest and Mary Elmsley were in the drawing-room . Fair , graceful girls , both of them , in their floating white bride 's - maid 's robes , which they would wear for the day ; Lucy always serene and quiet ; Mary , merry-hearted , gay-natured . Mary was to stay with them for some days .