twenty minutes past seven
No frivolous mediaevalism here , no dainty upholsterer 's work in many-coloured woods , but solid mahogany , relieved by solemn draperies of drab damask , in a style which the wise Sophia called unpretentious . The chief feature in one room was a sewing-machine that looked like a small church organ , and in the other a monster medicine-chest , from the contents of which Miss Granger dealt out doses of her own concoction to her parishioners . Both of these objects she showed to Clarissa with pride , but the medicine-chest was evidently the favourite . Having improved the time after this manner till twenty minutes past seven , with a very brief interval devoted to the duties of the toilet , the two young ladies went down to the drawing-room , where the lamps were lighted , and Mr. Lovel just arrived . That gentleman had the honour of taking Miss Granger in to dinner , and did his utmost to render himself agreeable to her in a quiet undemonstrative way , and to take the gauge of her mental powers . She received his attentions graciously enough -- indeed it would not have been easy for any one to be ungracious to Marmaduke Lovel when he cared to please -- but he could see very clearly that she suspected the state of affairs , and would be , to the last degree , antagonistic to his own and his daughter 's interests . He saw how close a watch she kept upon her father all through the dinner , and how her attention was distracted every now and then when he was talking to Clarissa .