eleven o'clock
The day dawned at last when , all these arrangements being completed , there was nothing for the select council to do but congratulate each other on the prospect of a perfect evening . Druro , however , who had for some days been showing -LRB- to the initiated eyes of his male friends , at least -RRB- signs of restlessness , not to say boredom , marred the harmony of this propitious occasion by absenting himself , thereby causing the president of the meeting palpable inquietude and displeasure . She missed her laughing cavalier , as she had a fancy for calling him , from her retinue . Plainly _ distraite _ , she sat twisting her jewelled fingers and casting restless glances toward the door until certain emissaries , who had been sent forth , returned with the news that no one had seen Druro since eleven o'clock the night before , when he had gone off in a car with some mining men . The widow hid her annoyance under a pretty , petulant smile and the remark : `` He must be given a penance this afternoon . '' After which she abruptly dismissed the audience until tea-time . When tea-time came , however , with its gathering in Mrs. Hallett 's sitting-room -LRB- the lounge being in preparation for the evening 's festivities -RRB- , there was still no Druro .