one o'clock
`` I wrote a long letter to mother , and afterward I could not sleep . '' `` You look as if you had grown five years older , since you gave me my coffee yesterday . When the rehearsal ends , I wish you to come directly home and go to sleep ; for there will be company here to-day , and it might be rather unflattering to me as guardian , to present my ward to strangers , and imagine their comments on your weary hollow eyes and face as blanched , as ` pale as Seneca 's Paulina . ' '' Notwithstanding the snow which fell steadily at one o'clock , all who were to take part in the `` Cantata , '' assembled punctually at Mrs. Brompton 's , and as Regina hurried down to the carriage , she found that Mrs. Carew , her little daughter and maid , had just arrived . Avoiding a presentation , she proceeded at once to the `` Rehearsal , '' and dismissed the carriage , assuring Farley that it was wrong to keep the horses out in such inclement weather ; and as she was provided with `` waterproof , '' overshoes , and umbrella , would walk home . The musical exercises were unusually tedious , the choruses were halting and uneven , and the repetition seemed endless . The day darkened , and the great bronze chandeliers were lighted , and still Professor Hurtzsel mercilessly flourished his baton , and required new trials ; until at length feverishly impatient , Regina having satisfactorily rendered her _ solos _ , requested and received permission to retire .