five o'clock in the afternoon
she murmurs , in a low , choked voice . `` You stood before me like a thought , A dream remembered in a dream . '' -- Coleridge . It is five o'clock in the afternoon , and Herst is the richer by one more inmate . Molly has arrived , has been received by Marcia , has pressed cheeks with her , has been told she is welcome in a palpably lying tone , and finally has been conducted to her bedroom . Such a wonder of a bedroom compared with Molly 's snug but modest sanctum at home , -- a very marvel of white and blue , and cloudy virginal muslins , and filled with innumerable luxuries . Molly , standing in the centre of it , -- unaware that she is putting all its other beauties to shame -- gazes round her in silent admiration , appreciates each pretty trifle to its fullest , and finally feels a vague surprise at the curious sense of discontent that pervades her .