about noon
Rosamond will take it best from an old woman like me . '' Mrs. Poynsett was quite conscious that Cecil had more high breeding and refinement than Rosamond , who was essentially the Irish Colonel 's daughter , and that the cold temperament of the one irritated the warm nature of the other . More than one flash had revealed Rosamond 's contempt for Cecil 's assumptions and intolerance for her precision -- besides , she was five years older , and had not an ideal in Dunstone . After revolving what form of remonstrance would be least offensive during half the night and day , Mrs. Poynsett was not prepared for the appearance , about noon , of her son Julius , when , coming to what she termed the confidential side of her couch , he asked hesitatingly , and colouring , `` Mother , I want you to tell me , was there anything amiss in Rose 's dress last night ? '' `` You did not perceive -- '' `` I 'm not used to the style of thing . Is it not the way with what you call full dress ? '' `` To a certain degree -- '' she began .