Two o'clock
What he had done as a politician , he had done according to his own moral code , and it was not her business to judge him ; to protect herself was the only right she claimed . She thought she could easily hold him at arm 's length , and although , if Carrington had written the truth , they could never again be friends , there need be no difficulty in their remaining acquaintances . If this view of her duty was narrow , it was at least proof that she had learned something from Mr. Ratcliffe ; perhaps it was also proof that she had yet to learn Mr. Ratcliffe himself . Two o'clock had struck before Mrs. Lee came down from her chamber , and Sybil had not yet made her appearance . Madeleine rang her bell and gave orders that , if Mr. Ratcliffe called she would see him , but she was at home to no one else . Then she sat down to write letters and to prepare for her journey to New York , for she must now hasten her departure in order to escape the gossip and criticism which she saw hanging like an avalanche over her head . When Sybil at length came down , looking much fresher than her sister , they passed an hour together arranging this and other small matters , so that both of them were again in the best of spirits , and Sybil 's face was wreathed in smiles .