nearly eight o'clock
`` I 'm going , '' he said . `` Good morning , '' said Mainwaring , without looking up . Richelieu picked up his specimens , thoroughly convinced of the stranger 's glittering deceitfulness , and vanished . It was nearly eight o'clock when Mrs. Bradley came from the house . She apologized , with a slightly distrait smile , for the tardiness of the household . `` Mr. Bradley stayed at the mill all night , and will not be here until breakfast , when he brings your friend Mr. Richardson with him '' -- Mainwaring scarcely repressed a movement of impatience -- `` who arrives early . It 's unfortunate that Miss Sharpe ca n't come to-day . ''