five o'clock
Mrs. Tom was very golden-haired and blue-eyed and pink and white , but none was further removed from insipidity than she . Her features were strong , particularly her mouth and chin , and she had a repose of manner , a squareness of shoulder , and a serenity of expression that gave her an almost solid appearance . It was patent that she was making a success of her life , and Isabel kissed her at parting with a hearty good-will ; but only the excessive dignity inherited from her Spanish ancestors arrested a war-whoop as she almost ran down the hill . She had been detained until five o'clock in spite of ingenious excuses , and when she mounted her horse she galloped for the country at such a rate of speed that the drowsy town turned over . When she reached a long and lonely stretch of road she indulged herself in snatches of Spanish songs , and when she was at home she did not go to bed till near midnight , so happy was she in the contemplation of her solitude . Gwynne found few letters awaiting him ; he had not encouraged correspondence , and only his mother , Flora Thangue , and his solicitors knew his address . It had been announced and reiterated in London that he was making a tour of the world .