noon
The particular work uppermost in her mind on the night Stephen had called was the repairing of a costly Spanish mantilla which had been picked up in Spain by one of Rosenthal 's customers . Through the carelessness of a packer , it had been badly slashed near the centre -- an ugly , ragged tear which only the most skilful of needles could restore . Mangan , some days before , had given it to her to repair with special instructions to return it at a given time , when he had agreed to deliver it to its owner . It was with a sudden gripping of her heart , therefore , that Martha on her return from an errand at noon had found the mantilla , promised for that very afternoon at three o'clock , lying neglected on the table , Lady Barbara sitting by the window with listless hands and drooping head . She grew still more anxious when at the appointed hour Rosenthal 's messenger rapped at the door and stood silently waiting , his presence voicing the purpose of his mission , and she heard her mistress say , without an attempt at explanation : `` I am sorry , tell Mr. Mangan , but the Spanish mantilla is not finished . Some of the other pieces are ready , but you need not wait . I can not stop now , even to do them up properly , but I will bring the mantilla myself to-morrow .