a quarter to eight o'clock
Everyone present , however , on the night of the last dinner-party she gave to her London guests , was bound to admit that a sweeter , fairer creature than its present mistress never trod the old oaken floors of Abbot 's Manor ; and that even the radiant pictured beauty of ` Mary Elia Adelgisa de Vaignecourt , ' to whom no doubt many a time the Merry Monarch had doffed his plumed hat in salutation , paled and grew dim before the living rose of Maryllia 's dainty loveliness and the magnetic tenderness of Maryllia 's eyes . Something of the exquisite pensiveness of her mother 's countenance , as portrayed in the long hidden picture which was now one of the gems of the Manor gallery , seemed to soften the outline of her features , and deepen the character and play of the varying expression which made her so fascinating to those who look for the soul in a woman 's face , rather than its mere physical form . Lady Beaulyon , beautiful though she was , owed something to art ; but Maryllia was nature 's own untouched product , and everything about her exhaled freshness , sweetness , and radiant vitality . Roxmouth , entering ` most carefully upon his hour , ' namely at a quarter to eight o'clock , found her singularly attractive , -- more so , he thought , than he had ever before realised . The stately old-world setting of Abbot 's Manor suited her -- the dark oak panelling , -- the Flemish tapestries , the worn shields and scutcheons , the old banners and armorial bearings , -- all the numerous touches of the past which spoke of chivalry , ancestral pride and loyalty to great traditions , lent grace and colouring to the picture she herself made , as she received her guests with that sweet kindness , ease and distinction , which are the heritage of race and breeding . `` Pretty little shrew ! '' he said , in an aside to Marius Longford -- `` She is really charming , -- and I begin to think I want her as much for herself as for her aunt 's millions ! ''