seven o'clock
Grace read the note again , then mechanically folding it , returned it to its envelope , and walked slowly back to Wayne Hall divided between her disappointment in the letter , and speculation as to the purport of Alberta Wicks 's proposed call . During the following day Grace pondered not a little over the possible meaning of Alberta Wicks 's note . She wrote an equally brief reply , stating that she would be at Wayne Hall the following night at the appointed time , and tried , unsuccessfully , to dismiss the matter from her mind . It persisted in recurring to her at intervals , and when , at exactly half-past seven o'clock , Alberta Wicks was ushered into the living room , Grace 's heart beat a trifle faster as she went forward to greet her guest , who looked less haughty than usual , and who actually smiled faintly as she returned Grace 's greeting . `` I know I am the last person you ever expected to see , '' began Alberta , looking embarrassed , `` but I simply felt as though I must come here to-night . Are we likely to be interrupted ? '' she asked suddenly .