a quarter past eight
That such things should be allowed in a world governed by a merciful Providence was incredible , terrible , but that she should be brought into contact with it was an offence to her ladylike judgment . Many a girl has thought like Edna Sefton , and yet a royal princess could enter a squalid cottage , and take the starving babe to her bosom ; and from that day to this Princess Alice has been a type of loving womanhood . Edna had not returned from the Athertons when Bessie entered the house , so she went alone to the evening service . As the service was at half-past six , an informal meal was served at a quarter past eight , to allow the servants to attend church . Bessie was rather surprised at this mark of thoughtfulness , but she found out afterward that Richard had induced his stepmother , with some difficulty , to give up the ceremonious late dinner . She urged as an objection that neither she nor Edna ever attended the evening service ; but he overruled this , and carried his point . Just before service commenced , Bessie was surprised to see him enter the church .