nearly two o’clock
Might she not look upon me as a mere vulgar fortune-seeker ? I could not bear to risk that such a thought should cross her mind . This Agra treasure intervened like an impassable barrier between us . It was nearly two o'clock when we reached Mrs. Cecil Forrester 's . The servants had retired hours ago , but Mrs. Forrester had been so interested by the strange message which Miss Morstan had received that she had sat up in the hope of her return . She opened the door herself , a middle-aged , graceful woman , and it gave me joy to see how tenderly her arm stole round the other 's waist and how motherly was the voice in which she greeted her . She was clearly no mere paid dependant , but an honoured friend .