seven o'clock in the evening
I told her that I had been annoyed , and offered no other explanation . Wonderful to relate , she showed no curiosity and no surprise . More wonderful still , at every fair opportunity that offered , she kept out of my way . My next day 's engagement being for seven o'clock in the evening , I put Mrs. Roylake 's self-control to a new test . With prefatory excuses , I informed her that I should not be able to dine at home as usual . Impossible as it was that she could have been prepared to hear this , her presence of mind was equal to the occasion . I left the house , followed by my stepmother 's best wishes for a pleasant evening .