half past eight
`` Why was Rex there alone on his wedding-night under the magnolia-tree in the terrible storm ? '' she asked herself , in a strange , bewildered way . `` What could it mean ? '' She had heard the ceremony was to be performed promptly at half past eight , it was seven already . `` What could it mean ? '' She had been too much startled and dismayed when she found it was Rex to make herself known . Ah , no , Rex must never know she was so near him ; it was Pluma she must see .