about six o'clock
She might have pleased her family better by pleasing her tastes , and have entirely avoided the grim irony of the situation disclosed later in the day . After the second interview with Sol she was to some extent composed in mind by being able to nurse a definite intention . As momentum causes the narrowest wheel to stand upright , a scheme , fairly imbibed , will give the weakest some power to maintain a position stoically . In the temporary absence of Lord Mountclere , about six o'clock , she slipped out upon the balcony and handed down a note . To her relief , a hand received it instantly . The hour and a half wanting to half-past seven she passed with great effort . The main part of the time was occupied by dinner , during which she attempted to devise some scheme for leaving him without suspicion just before the appointed moment .