nine o'clock
Oh , what shall I do ? '' Such was the inward sob of Agatha 's heart . She almost wished that she could have turned her face again on the pillow , and slept there safely for eternity . But the matin church-bells ceased -- it was nine o'clock . She must rise , and appear below for the first time as mistress in her own house . Also , she remembered faintly something which Mrs. Dugdale had said about the custom at Kingcombe -- an irrefragable law of country etiquette -- of a bride 's going to church for the first time , ceremoniously , in bridal dress . And no sooner had she descended -- wrapped in the first morning-frock she could lay her hands upon , than Harrie entered .