three o'clock
Probably she did feel something as at the moment there came no titter from any other bevy corresponding to the titter which was raised by her own . She and her bevy retired to their allotted place , conscious that their time for glory could not come till the male world should appear upon the scene . But Lady Ware 's tiara still wagged and nodded behind her counter , and Margaret , looking at her , thought that she must have come there as the grand duenna of the occasion . Just at three o'clock the poor duchess hurried into the building in a terrible flurry , and went hither and thither among the stalls , not knowing at first where was her throne . Unkind chance threw her at first almost into the booth of Mrs Conway Sparkes , the woman whom of all women she hated the most ; and from thence she recoiled into the arms of Lady Hartletop who was sitting serene , placid , and contented in her appointed place . `` Opposite , I think , duchess , '' Mrs Conway Sparkes had said . `` We are only the small fry here . ''