eleven o'clock
He was wondering whether she had noticed what in that magazine had interested him . But she did not pursue him with questions . She merely made up her mind to examine the copy of _ Notes and Queries _ at a time when she could bring more leisure to the task . She waited impatiently for the party to break up but eleven o'clock had struck before any one proposed to go . Then all took their leave at once . Robert Pettifer and his wife went out into the hall with the rest , lest others seeing them remain should stay behind too ; and whilst they stood a little apart from the general bustle of departure Margaret Pettifer saw Stella Ballantyne come lightly down the stairs , and a savage fury suddenly whirled in her head and turned her dizzy . She thought of all the trouble and harm this young woman was bringing into their ordered family and she would not have it that she was innocent .