half past eight
And did Beaumaroy keep Mr. Saffron within the meaning of whatever the law might be ? But at any rate she must do something ; the state of things at Tower Cottage could not go on as it was . The law of the land -- whatever it was -- must be observed , Beaumaroy must be foiled , and poor old Mr. Saffron taken proper care of . The course of her meditations was hardly interrupted by the episode of her light evening meal ; she was back in her drawing-room by half past eight , her mind engrossed with the matter still . It was a little after nine when there was a ring at the hall door . Not the lovers back so early ? She heard a man 's voice in the hall .