six o’clock
With which promise she took leave of her new ally , and walked briskly away from South Audley Mansions , well pleased with her morning 's work . But there was no time to be lost . She went straight back to the _ Ritz _ and wrote a few brief words to Mr. Carter . Having dispatched this , and Tommy not having yet returned -- which did not surprise her -- she started off on a shopping expedition which , with an interval for tea and assorted creamy cakes , occupied her until well after six o'clock , and she returned to the hotel jaded , but satisfied with her purchases . Starting with a cheap clothing store , and passing through one or two second-hand establishments , she had finished the day at a well-known hairdresser 's . Now , in the seclusion of her bedroom , she unwrapped that final purchase . Five minutes later she smiled contentedly at her reflection in the glass .