ten
o'clock
She was dimly aware that something had passed from her , something by which he had held her , and without which his magnetism was unable to play upon her . So when Walkham sent her an invitation to one of his artistic `` at homes '' she accepted , in the hope of meeting Reginald . It was his frequentation of Walkham 's house that had for several years effectively barred her foot from crossing the threshold . It was with a very strange feeling she greeted the many familiar faces at Walkham 's now ; and when , toward ten o'clock , Reginald entered , politely bowing in answer to the welcome from all sides , her heart beat in her like a drum . But she calmed herself , and , catching his eye , so arranged it that early in the evening they met in an alcove of the drawing-room . `` It was inevitable , '' Reginald said . `` I expected it . ''