nine o'clock
`` Well ! '' cried Emma Thornycroft , as the door closed , `` I do wish , my dear , that little Missy had been grown up enough to be your bridesmaid instead of that very quiet ordinary-looking old maid . But , after all , the contrast will be the greater . '' At nine o'clock the bride 's half of the wedding-party were all safely assembled in Doctor Ianson 's drawing-room , and everything promised to go off successfully -- to which result Emma , now all in her glory , prided herself as having been the main contributor -- and no doubt the kind , active , sensible little matron was right . -- When , lo ! -- there came an unlucky _ contretemps _ . Major Harper , who of course was to give away the bride , sent word that on account of sudden business he could not possibly be at the church before eleven .