ten
o’clock
But I hear those unfortunate children dancing and prancing with impatience on the stairs . I must go , before they have driven Ada distracted . ' What would the two aunts have said , could they have seen Dolores and Constance , at that moment partaking of the most elaborate meal the Darminster refreshment-room could supply , at a little round marble table , in company with Mr. Flinders ! They had not been obliged to start nearly so early as the other party , as the journey was much shorter , and with no change of line , so they had quietly walked to the station by ten o'clock , arrived at Darminster at half-past eleven , and have been met by the personage whom Dolores recognized as Uncle Alfred . Constance was a little disappointed not to see something more distinguished , and less flashy in style , but he was so polite and complimentary , and made such touching allusions to his misfortunes and his dear sister , that she soon began to think him exceedingly interesting , and pitied him greatly when he said he could not take them to his lodgings -- they were not fit for his niece or her friend , who had done him a kindness for which he could never be sufficiently grateful , in affording him a glimpse of his dear sister 's child . It made Dolores wince , for she never could bear the mention of her mother , it was like touching a wound , and the old sensation of discomfort and dislike to her uncle 's company began to grow over her again , now that she was not struggling against Mohun opposition to her meeting him . He lionized them about the town , but it was a foggy , drizzly day , one of those when the fringe of sea-coast often enjoys finer weather than inland places ; the streets were very sloppy , and Dolores and Constance did not do much beyond purchasing a few cards and some presents at a fancy shop , as they had agreed to do , to serve as an excuse for their expedition in case it could not be kept a secret , and most of the visit was made in the waiting-room at the station , or walking up and down the platform .