ten o'clock
She loved to sit in the White Rooms , sometimes with her uncle , but more often alone . In the morning , she generally walked for an hour in the garden with Mr. Montfort , tending the rose-bushes that were his special care and pride , listening to his wise and kindly talk , and learning , she always thought , something new each day . It is wonderful how much philosophy , poetry , even history , can be brought into the care of roses , if the right person has charge of them . At ten o'clock he generally went to town , and the rest of the morning was spent in practising , sewing , and studying ; the hours flew by so fast , Margaret often suspected the clock of being something of a dishonest character . She was studying German , with the delightful result of reading `` Der Trompeter von Säkkingen '' with her uncle in the evening , when it was not too beautiful out-of-doors . Then , in the afternoon , she could with a clear conscience take up some beloved romance , and be `` just happy , '' as she called it , till Mr. Montfort returned in time for the walk or ride which was the crowning pleasure of the day . And so the days went by , in a golden peace which seemed too pleasant to last ; and yet there seemed no reason why it should ever change .