ten o'clock
They had arranged that he was to tell Lord and Lady Dauntrey not only of their engagement , but of Mary 's decision to leave their house for a visit to Mrs. Winter . She , however , had summoned unexpected courage and had already broken the news . It had seemed treacherous , she explained to Vanno , to go to bed and say nothing ; so on an impulse she had told them all ; and both had been kind . Lady Dauntrey , who seldom appeared before ten o'clock -- Casino opening time -- was not only dressed but had breakfasted when Vanno came . She broke in upon Mary and the Prince in the drawing-room , seemed surprised to find them there , apologized laughingly , and with an attempt at tact congratulated Vanno . `` I 've got awfully fond of this dear girl , '' she said , looking Vanno straight in the eyes , a way of hers when people had to be impressed by a statement . `` I think there 's nobody like her , and I -- we -- will miss her horribly .