nearly eleven
o'clock
We call him Herbert 's dulcimer-boy , because Herbert gave him two buns the other day ; -- the boy and his father came from gratitude , to play a tune for Herbert , and we all ran and asked Mad . de Rosier to let him in . '' `` We did not know you had the headache , mamma , '' said Matilda , `` till after they had played several tunes , and we heard Grace saying something to Herbert about racketing upon the stairs -- he only ran up stairs once for my music-book ; and the moment Grace spoke to him , he came to us , and said that you were not well ; then Mad . de Rosier stopped the dulcimer , and we all left off dancing , and we were very sorry Grace had not told us sooner that you were ill : at that time it was ten -- nearly eleven o'clock . '' `` Grace strangely misrepresented all this , '' said Mrs. Harcourt : `` as she gave her advice so late , I am sorry she gave it at all ; she prevented you and Isabella from the pleasure of going out with Mad . de Rosier . '' `` We prevented ourselves -- Grace did not prevent us , I assure you , mamma , '' said Isabella , eagerly : `` we wished to stay at home with you -- Herbert and Favoretta were only going to see the royal tiger . ''